Five Things You Need to Know About Memorial Day
From the holiday's founding to efforts to end the three-day weekend, learn more about Memorial Day.
Five things to know for Wednesday.
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Today, Memorial Day, is one of America’s most solemn observances. We honor the men and women who died serving and defending our country—unlike Veterans Day, the day to honor all veterans.
Amid the parades, 21-gun salutes and long weekend trips, how much do you know the holiday? Here are five Memorial Day facts.
1. The sheer carnage of the Civil War, America’s deadliest war, inspired Memorial Day as a way to honor the war dead. The observances originally were called Decoration Day because thankful Americans decorated and cared for soldiers’ graves. “Memorial Day” usage began appearing in 1882, but “Decoration Day” was common until post-World War II. Congress officially changed the name in 1967.
2. This year’s Memorial Day falls on the same calendar day as the first national observation. Gen. John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an order in 1868 that May 30 be “designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country…” Memorial/Decoration Day was observed on May 30 every year until 1971, when Congress moved it to the last Monday of May.
3. On that first national Decoration Day in 1868, 5,000 citizens decorated 20,000 Civil War soldiers’ graves—both Union and Confederate—in Arlington Cemetery. But the show of solidarity did not last. Southern states protested what they saw as a holiday primarily honoring Union soldiers.
Many Southern states created their own observances on separate days, and did not rejoin the Memorial Day traditions until post-World War I, when the day evolved to honor the dead who served in all wars.
4. Not content to simply observe the holiday, several towns squabbled about which could lay claim to founding Memorial/Decoration Day. Historical accounts say women in the Confederate states decorated soldiers’ graves before it ever became a national movement. A handful of towns nationwide argued they were the first to mark Memorial Day.
President Lyndon B. Johnson (tried to) put the issue to rest in 1966 by declaring Waterloo, NY, the birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo won out because it had first marked Memorial Day on May 5, 1866 and since made it an annual community observance.
5. Enjoying the three-day weekend with a trip to the Shore, backyard barbecue or other fun pursuits? Some critics wish you wouldn’t. Ever since Congress moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend, critics blame the change with removing the solemnity and original purpose from the day. Hawaiian Sen. Daniel Inouye (D) has tried since 1987 to get Congress to move Memorial Day back to May 30.
Bonus fact! Keep noon and 3 p.m. local time in mind today. At noon, all flags lowered to half-staff should be raised completely for the remainder of the day. And at 3 p.m., a National Moment of Remembrance takes place. President Bill Clinton started the tradition in 2000.
S Rindge
7:44 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Thank you for the enlightening us on how this day of honoring those that have served in wars came to be.
S Rindge
lisa
7:46 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Today is the day that people forget the true meaning...
lisa
7:48 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
In case you forget its about the men n women who lost their lives for this pathetic country
latoya
7:51 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
That's the true tell them!!!!
LarryLinn
7:58 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Lauren Burgoon, well said. I want to thank you.
gb
7:59 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
,love your country or leave it ! you are pathetic and do my recognize the great things this country has accomplished including giving you the right to your pathetic opinion
Grant Pope
8:04 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
THIS country, warts and all, is still the best in the world. You dishonor those who have sacrificed by discrediting our great country. What have you done to improve what you so easily call pathetic? God Bless our men and women who serve and the families who have lived with the loss of a hero.
Grant
Dale
8:06 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Lisa, You take away from their sacrifices. Please recognize that those who have served and died did so regardless of the fact that our country is not and never will be perfect. They did so for their families and those by their side in combat. They also did so to allow you to be able to freely voice your opinionthat our country is pathetic. I hope and pray that things will change soon so that you might eventually express an opinion of satifaction and pride in our country. God Bless America
Susan
8:11 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Just so you know the reason you are allowed to air comments like you have above without being imprisoned is that our country is and will always allow free speech. The reason we have this right is because these liberties were fought for us long ago. Let me remind you that you may air your dirty grievances about this country (that the majority of us feel priviledged to be a part of), but that does not mean that we have to accept or like what you say. My husband continues to fight for and to protect this country and I for one am proud of what he and so many others like him do every day without hesitation. My words to you young lady... which I assume you are because you lack the intelligence to understand what the United States represents...is that if you think this country is so pathetic maybe it is time you find another place to live. Oh but I probably forgot this pathetic country is what has allowed you to have your fancy house, your fancy car, and your fancy clothes without barely lifting a finger. Goodluck to you elsewhere...
Laura - thank you for enlightening others about the solemn reasons that we should ALL honor Memorial Day.
Alex Maier
8:25 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
That's a very classist assumption. Considering the awful income disparity in our country, why would you automatically assume another poster 1) has nice things and 2) doesn't need to work?
Will
8:12 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
You have a lot of Rights in our Country which you may avail upon, in your case you could choose the Right to leave!
Sami Scott
8:17 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Kudos to you for the excellent explanation of todays Holiday. Our many lost sons and daughters are being lost over thr years for their bravery. Our children are losing the meaning of honor and patriotism.
Alex Maier
8:24 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
Grant, this country isn't "the best in the world." You can be a patriot and still reserve your criticism. We dramatically lag behind other countries anywhere from maternal mortality to education to a living wage.
Alex Maier
8:28 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
"Remember and honor our fallen heroes this memorial day weekend including Maria Lauterbach, Lavena Johnson, Carri Goodwin, Tina Priest, Keisha Morgan and all others who lost their lives due to Military Sexual Trauma." - http://www.stopmilitaryrape.org/
jps
10:14 am on Monday, May 30, 2011
I suspect that anyone that posts disparaging remarks about our country on a day like today lacks the perspective to truly appreciate all the freedoms we enjoy in this great country of ours. Thank you to all the fallen heros, who helped defend our freedoms. Thankfully I have traveled to enough other countries, seen enough other ways of life, to know with out a shadow of a doubt there is no place I would rather be on gods good green earth then the United States of America.