On 30 May 1868, by proclamation of General John Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic –the organization of Union veterans, the first major Memorial Day observance was held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.
By the late 19th century, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day, and after World War I, folks began to honor the dead of all of our wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. This is the day we honor those who have served in our nation’s military and have died.
Memorial Day
Further reading
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