Memorial Day (sometimes
called Decoration Day) is a patriotic holiday in the United States honoring all
Americans who gave their lives for their country.Originally, Memorial Day honored military personnel who died in
the Civil War (1861-1865).The holiday
now also honors those who died in any war while serving the United States.
Memorial Day is a legal holiday observed on the last
Monday in May.This date was made a
federal holiday by a law that became effective in 1971.
Observance.In accordance with US Code Title 4,
Section 6 (d)the US Flag should be flown at half
staff until noon on Memorial Day.Traditionally, people also place flowers and flags on the graves of
military personnel on Memorial Day.Many
organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and fraternal groups, march
in military parades and take part in special programs.These programs often include the reading of
Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”.Memorials are often dedicated on this day.Military exercises and special programs are held at Gettysburg
National Military Park and at the National Cemetery in Arlington,
Virginia.
Since the end of World War I, Memorial Day has also
been Poppy Day.Volunteers sell small,
red artificial poppies in order to help disabled veterans.In recent years, the custom has grown in
most families to decorate the graves of loved ones on Memorial Day.
History.Several communities claim to have
originated Memorial Day.But in 1966,
the U. S. government proclaimed Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of the
holiday.The people of Waterloo first
observed Memorial Day on May 5, 1866, to honor soldiers killed in the Civil
War.
Major General John A. Logan in 1868 named May 30 as
a special day for honoring the graves of Union Soldiers.Logan served as commander in chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans of the Civil
War.They had charge of Memorial Day
celebrations in the Northern States for many years.The American Legion took over this duty after World War I.
