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Memorial Day is a federal holiday to pay tribute to all who served and died in the United
States military in war and other conflicts. As with other federal holidays that are
observed on Mondays, it is important not to forget the purpose of Memorial Day in the fun
of the long weekend. Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May, which is a
time when many look forward to the excitement and recreation offered by an approaching
summer. There is much to celebrate at this time of year, but those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice to allow us to enjoy freedom, deserve the honor and respect of our
sincere Memorial Day observance.
Origin of Memorial Day
The observance of Memorial Day originated at the time of the Civil War. The tragic loss
of life left many feeling a compelling need to honor those who died in the war. The
earliest form of tribute that has been carried on in tradition to this day is the
placement of flowers on graves of deceased soldiers.
Boalsburg and Waterloo
It has been claimed that the first instance of flowers being placed on the graves of
soldiers in relation to American memorial observance occurred in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
in 1864. The officially recognized birthplace of Memorial Day, however, was declared in
1966 by President Lyndon Johnson to be Waterloo, New York. President Johnson’s
declaration was made on the 100-year anniversary of the first recorded memorial
observance at Waterloo.
The Waterloo, New York observance gained popularity in part because
of backing by a high-ranking General who fought in the Civil War named John B. Murray.
General Murray staunchly supported the idea that was suggested to him by Henry C. Welles
to honor fallen soldiers by placing flowers on their graves. As General Murray promoted
the idea, he was able to draw the backing of veterans groups, city officials, and a large
portion of the community.
With great acclaim, the community of Waterloo celebrated the first
memorial observance on May 5, 1866. Members of the community gathered to the gravesites
of soldiers, adorning them with flowers and solemn regard. Although the observance had
not yet received a name or been officially declared as a holiday, it became a tradition
that was observed every year thereafter in Waterloo.
May 30th Chosen for Memorial
Day
The date for celebration of the emerging memorial holiday was solidified by General John
Alexander Logan in 1868. As a leader of a veterans group called the Grand Army of the
Republic, General Logan delivered an order that was of profound influence on the memorial
celebration. The order proclaimed that the 30th of May would be “for the
purpose of strewing flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in
defense of their country…”(1). May 30th was chosen because it did not
reflect the date of any Civil War battle that could potentially detract from the
significance of honoring the dead. General Logan’s order resulted in the first
memorial celebration at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868.
Memorial Day was once Called "Decoration Day"
The holiday which eventually became known as Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day
( most likely because of the tradition of decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers
). Decoration Day was first recognized as a legal holiday by the state of New York in
1873. It is alleged that in the 1880’s the alternative name of “Memorial
Day” was suggested but not officially accepted. By the end of the 19th century,
however, the term “Memorial Day” was commonly used in reference to the
holiday.
North and South Issues
Decoration Day was only observed by the northern states for many years, as the
Confederate states honored their dead on different dates. Additionally, there was
lingering animosity for some time after the Civil War which made a conciliatory holiday a
difficult objective. Decades later, the holiday became more universally accepted as
casualties of World War I made the purpose of Decoration Day applicable to all wars ( not
just the Civil War ). Decoration Day grew slowly into southern acceptance, but original
southern memorial dates are still retained and observed.
The Confederate dates for Memorial Day observance are as follows:
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State(s)
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Date of Memorial
Celebration |
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Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi
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Last Day in April
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North Carolina and South Carolina
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May 10
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Virginia
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On or Near May 27
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A Federal Holiday
The names, Decoration Day and Memorial Day, were used for many years in reference to the
same holiday. The name “Memorial Day” was given greater attention on June 19,
1926, as the United States Congress accepted “Memorial Day” as a federal
holiday. This action helped Memorial Day to find its role in the mainstream of American
holiday celebration, and better defined its purpose of honoring deceased soldiers from
all wars.
Birthplace of Memorial Day
On June 19, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson recognized the centennial observance of the
first memorial celebration at Waterloo, New York. He proclaimed Waterloo as the
birthplace of Memorial Day. Similar celebrations may have occurred prior to or
concurrently with the Waterloo celebration, but this is the observance that is recognized
for the energy and patriotism that spread through the nation to honor fallen heroes.
Celebration Date Changes in 1971
In 1971 the Uniform Holidays Act was enacted which officially changed
the federal date of observance of Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday of May.
This change has been the subject of considerable controversy. It is argued by Veteran
Groups and some of the public that combining attaching Memorial Day to the weekend
detracts from the purpose of the holiday. This view suggests that when Memorial Day was
held on its original date (May 30), it was more distinguishable from the recreational and
entertaining activities of the weekend.
National Moment of Remembrance
To increase awareness of the purpose of Memorial Day in America, Congress created the
National Moment of Remembrance in December 2000. To observe the moment of
remembrance, it is requested that every American should take a moment at a designated
time during Memorial Day to remember soldiers who died protecting the United States. At 3
o’clock P.M. local time, every American is asked to pause from whatever they are
doing for one minute to remember the soldiers from all wars who died in the service of
the country. This pause can be in the form of a moment of silence, or ringing of a bell
three times, or whatever helps to honor the memories of those who sacrificed their lives
for freedom. The National Moment of Remembrance can help Americans to remember
the purpose of Memorial Day and honor the memories of those who perished at war.
Traditions of Memorial Day
The traditions of Memorial Day in the United States have been passed down since the days
of the Civil War. A memorial observance continues to be observed at Arlington National
Cemetery every year, where small flags are placed at every soldier’s gravesite.
Memorial Day traditions are observed across the nation in tribute to those who defended
freedom at the cost of their lives. We can honor the memories of those who fought and
died for our country by participating in as many of the following Memorial Day traditions
as possible:
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Memorial Day Traditions
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Observing the National Moment of Remembrance (3:00P.M.
local time; one minute)
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Attending parades
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Attending or participating in ceremonies
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Placing flags or flowers on graves of deceased soldiers
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Fly American flag at half-mast from dawn to noon
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Tell or read patriotic stories
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Study American war history
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Watch a patriotic movie
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Picnics
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Family gatherings
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Listening to speeches
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Arlington National Cemetery : Memorial Day Observance
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Memorial weekend and Memorial Day are special days for Americans to
remember with respect. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the holiday weekend with
recreation and fun. This is part of the freedom that our soldiers fought and died to
preserve. What is most important, however, is that when Memorial Day comes, we remember
the day with an attitude of reverence and appreciation for those who sacrificed their
lives for us. We should observe the National Moment of Remembrance in a way that
is personal to us and that honors the dead. We must never forget the brave and noble
sacrifices of the soldiers who died that we may live in peace.
 Try
our Memorial Day Treat:
"Deep Chocolate Cake" Recipe
It is so good, you may make it a Memorial Day tradition for your family.
- Article by Wes Fessler
 MORE HOLIDAYS
at Family Fun Shop |
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Sources:
1. renewamerica.us, “Military Designation of Memorial
Day”
http://www.renewamerica.us/news/030526memorial.htm, [Accessed 22 July 2007]
2. remember.gov, “Memorial Day Event”
http://www.remember.gov/MomentofRemembrance/tabid/54/Default.aspx
[Accessed 22 July 2007]
3. defenselink.mil, “Nation to Honor Fallen During
National Moment of Remembrance”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=15671
[Accessed 22 July 2007]
4. hq.usace.army.mil, “The Origins of Memorial
Day?”
http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/history/Vignettes/Vignette_51.htm
[Accessed 22 July 2007]
5. Merchant, David, “Memorial Day History”
http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html [Accessed 22 July 2007]
6. rootsweb.com, “Memorial Day”
http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacentre/memory.htm [Accessed 22 July 2007]
7. geradotcom.hypermart.net, “The History of Memorial
Day”
http://geradotcom.hypermart.net/SaintAnne/memorial_day.html
[Accessed 22 July 2007]
8. waterloony.com, “The History and Origin of Memorial Day
In Waterloo, New York”
http://www.waterloony.com/MemDayHistory.html [Accessed 22 July 2007]
9. netherlands.usembassy.gov, “Intro to the
U.S.”
http://netherlands.usembassy.gov/memorial_day.html [Accessed 22 July 2007]
10. army.mil, “Origins of Memorial Day in the United
States”
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/memday/MD-Dev.htm [Accessed 21 July 2007]
11. en.wikipedia.org, “Memorial Day”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day [Accessed 22 July 2007]
12. memorialdayfoundation.org, “Memorial Day”
http://www.memorialdayfoundation.org/info.asp?id=1964 [Accessed 21 July 2007]
13. davidstuff.com, “The Tomb of the Unknown
Soldiers”
http://www.davidstuff.com/usa/tomb.htm [Accessed 22 July 2007]
14. waymarking.com, “Waterloo, New York – Birthplace
of Memorial Day”
http://www.waymarking.com/wm/details.aspx?f=1&guid=
567935e4-a941-47f4-a03e-50b9a391fb07 [Accessed 22 July 2007]
15. en.wikipedia, “Arlington National
Cemetery”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_National_Cemetery [Accessed 22 July
2007]
16. patriotism.org, “Memorial Day”
http://www.patriotism.org/memorial_day/index.html [Acccessed 21 July 2007]
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