How and why did we come to celebrate Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States set aside to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country. The date in 2023 will be May 29 due to it being the last Monday of the month.
The tradition of decorating the graves of war dead with flowers and flags can be traced back to the period immediately following the American Civil War, when the holiday was first observed. General John A. Logan, the head of a Union veterans’ group, established the first national Memorial Day celebration, then called Decoration Day, on May 30, 1868.
With time, Memorial Day grew to include not just Civil War veterans but all American service members. Memorial Day was originally celebrated on May 30, but thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, federal workers now have a three-day weekend in May.
On this melancholy holiday, we pause to reflect on the lives lost while serving our country and to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Memorial Day, a lot of people go to cemeteries and memorials to lay flowers and flags at the graves of the dead. The wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a minute of silence and the playing of Taps, is one of the most recognizable rituals in the United States.
On Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who battled for our nation’s democracy and freedom. To remember the dead and give thanks to the living, many communities host parades, festivals, concerts, and other patriotic festivities on Memorial Day. Many Americans celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer on Memorial Day by having picnics, barbecuing, going camping, and launching boats.
There is more to Memorial Day than a day off from classes or work. It is a time to consider the value of selflessness, dedication, and loyalty to one’s country. Those who gave their lives defending our country and its ideals are being remembered today. Today is a time to reflect on the price that was paid for our liberties and express our gratitude to those who made this country what it is today.
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Source
(1) Memorial Day – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day.
(2) Memorial Day | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Memorial-Day.
(3) Memorial Day 2023: Facts, Meaning & Traditions | HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history.
(4) Memorial Day in the United States – timeanddate.com. https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/memorial-day.
