Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the service of our nation. Specifically, It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, then-General, James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery which inspired local observances in several towns throughout America.
After World War I (1914 - 1918), all Observance Services included honoring every sacrifice made in America's wars.
These special events of Observance and Decoration have continued -> World War II (1939 - 1945), Korean War (1950 - 1953), Vietnam War (1954 - 1975), Persian Gulf War (August 1990 - April 1991), Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan (Oct. 7, 2001 -) & Iraq War March 19, 2003 - ). Through these trying episodes in our nation's history, America has honored its courageous and dedicated Military Personnel.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
In 1971, the US Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national holiday, to be celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. Honoring the spirit of fallen US heroes is the purpose of Memorial Day.
Many people observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and war memorials, and leaving flags, flowers, or notes on the graves of soldiers.
