Memorial Day is a holiday observed in the U.S. on the last Monday of May to honor everyone who died while serving in the armed forces. Typically, on this day, many Americans visit cemeteries, participate in parades, or hold family gatherings.
Important Memorial Day Facts
The Memorial Day was initially Decoration Day
The origin dates back to the years following the civil war, and it became an official federal holiday in 1971. Some few years later, Americans all over the country had begun holding springtime tributes to the fallen soldiers.
The most common way of honoring the fallen soldiers was by decorating their graveyards with flowers and saying prayers.
A National Moment of Remembrance
On Memorial Day each year, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3.00PM local time. The origin of this tradition remains unclear.
However, different communities independently initiated the memorial gatherings.
The Official Birthplace of Memorial Day
In 1966, Waterloo, New York was declared the official birthplace of the Memorial Day by the federal government. Waterloo first celebration of Memorial Day was on May 5th, 1866.
During this event, businesses stay closed, and residents decorate the soldier’s graves with flowers and flags.
The Memorial Day was made Official by Major General John A. Logan
On May 5th, 1868, General Logan the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and also the speaker at the Carbondale gathering issued general orders No II which set aside May 30th, 1868 to decorate graves of comrades who died in defense of their country with flowers.
General orders No II states, “in this observance, no form of ceremony is prescribed.” However, after several Memorial Days, some customs became associated with this special day.
Taps, the 24-note bugle call plays at all military funerals and memorial services. This tradition began in 1862 by Union General Butterfield.
Memorial Day is more a franchise than a National Holiday
Although there are 10 federal holidays, including Memorial Day, it only applies to federal employees and the districts of Columbia. In other parts of the country, different states endorse the holidays.
New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day a legal holiday in 1873. Many Northern states followed suit by the 1890s.
Future President James Garfield’s Speech
Future President James Garfield in 1868, delivered a very long speech on the importance of Memorial Day. With about 5000 people in attendance, ‘New York Times’ reported this spring day ‘somewhat too warm for comfort.’
James A. Garfield, a Republican congressman from Ohio and future president, was the principal speaker. At the end of the speeches, songs, and sermons, the participants decorated the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
The Rolling Thunder will make their Final Ride into DC in 2019
The Rolling Thunder, a national veteran’s right group, takes its name from the B-52 carpet-bombing runs during the war in Vietnam. In the past, thousands of motorcyclists have ridden into Washington, D.C to draw attention to Vietnam War soldiers with unknown whereabouts or prisoners of war. 2019 will mark the group’s final ride due to logistics and expense of the rally.
Possibly because it marks the beginning of summer, many people throw parties and barbecues on this holiday. However, this hasn’t stopped it from being a time of somber reflection on our heroes past.
