Memorial Day is an American holiday that
honors men and women who died while serving in
the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration
Day, it originated in the years following the Civil
War and became an official Federal holiday in
1971. Many Americans celebrate Memorial Day
by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.
honors men and women who died while serving in
the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration
Day, it originated in the years following the Civil
War and became an official Federal holiday in
1971. Many Americans celebrate Memorial Day
by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.
conflict in U.S. history, requiring the
establishment of the country's first national
cemeteries. By the late 1860's Americans in
various towns and cities had begun holding
springtime tributes to these countless fallen
soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers
and reciting prayers.
In 1966 the Federal Government declared
Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of
Memorial Day. Waterloo was chosen because it
hosted an annual, community-wide event. During
this event, businesses would close and residents
would decorate graves of soldiers with
flowers and flags.
Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of
Memorial Day. Waterloo was chosen because it
hosted an annual, community-wide event. During
this event, businesses would close and residents
would decorate graves of soldiers with
flowers and flags.
For decades, Memorial Day was observed on
May 30, but in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established
Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in
order to create a three-day weekend for federal
employees. This change went into effect in 1971
and this same law declared Memorial Day as
a federal holiday.
May 30, but in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established
Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in
order to create a three-day weekend for federal
employees. This change went into effect in 1971
and this same law declared Memorial Day as
a federal holiday.
