The History Of Memorial Day

Posted: May 22, 2024 at 10:46 am

Memorial Day is the traditional start of summer, with barbecues and trips to the pool, lake or beach. But it’s also a solemn holiday meant to commemorate those who gave all to protect our great nation. Here’s a quick primer on the history of Memorial Day.

Shortly after the Civil War, many communities organized their own commemorations for fallen soldiers. Notably, formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina put together a remembrance just a month after the end of the war in 1865.

Waterloo, New York is considered to the official birthplace of Memorial Day, first having held an event in 1866.

In 1868, General John A. Logan, a leader of a group of veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance called Decoration Day. On May 30th, 1868, President James A. Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and more than 5000 people decorated the graves there.

For nearly a century, the holiday was held unofficially on May 30th — the anniversary of the first Decoration Day. But legislation in 1968 moved the holiday to the last Monday in May, and that change went into effect in 1971, making Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Today, parades are held around the nation — including major ones in Washington, New York and Chicago. Many people will wear a red poppy to remember those who’ve fallen — a tradition that began with a poem written in World War 1. A National Moment of Remembrance happens at 3:00 p.m. on Monday.

About 656,000 U.S. military members have died in combat, and there are now more than 260,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery.