Origin of Memorial Day
First – what is it? Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died in service to our country.
Memorial Day began at the end of the Civil War. That conflict claimed more American lives than any other in U.S. history. The country needed to establish national cemeteries for the 750,000 deceased. It was originally known as Decoration Day since it was the day that soldiers would decorate the graves of their fallen comrades with flowers, flags, and wreaths. Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s. The holiday did not become legally recognized until 1967.
There are many unsubstantiated stories of previous observances. Some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day parades was organized by a group of freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. The Martyrs of the Race Course were honored less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. More than 20 towns claim to be the holiday’s birthplace.
But in 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo was chosen because on May 5, 1866, it hosted an annual, community-wide event. Businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
National observance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day was first observed nationally on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. This proclamation was issued by Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. It is said that he chose that date because no major battle of the Civil War had been fought on May 30. By 1890, all northern states had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.
Former Union General and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery in the first ceremony after Gen. Logan’s proclamation. After the speech, 5000 participants decorated the graves of over 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.
“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” –James A Garfield on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery.
Want to know more about the Ohio connection? Ohio History Connection shares a message from Manuscript Curator John Haas on the origins of Decoration Day and its Ohio connections.
Memorial Day is not …
This is not the day to honor those currently serving in our U.S. military. That day is Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May).
Nor is it the day to honor those who have served and are still alive. That day is Veterans Day (November 11 every year).
Memorial Day observed
In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, establishing that Memorial Day would be commemorated on the last Monday of May. Most southern states officially have a second day designated for remembering the Confederate war dead. The date varies by state.
Each year a ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery in which a small flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on that day. Over the years since 1921, when an unidentified World War I soldier was buried in the plaza of the then-new Memorial Amphitheater, presidents have often visited on Memorial Day. To set the record straight, though, this is a custom not a requirement.
How do we honor our soldiers?
The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day.
All Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
In most cemeteries across the country where there is a monument to the fallen, a wreath is placed there as a sign of respect and tribute.
As you walk around a cemetery this Memorial Day, you may notice that some veterans’ graves have coins on them. What does this mean? A coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldier’s family know that someone stopped by to pay their respects. A penny means someone simply stopped by to visit. A nickel means someone stopped by who went to boot camp with the veteran. Leaving a dime means you served with the veteran in some capacity. By leaving a quarter at the grave, you are telling the family that you were with the soldier when he or she was killed.
Other Memorial Day traditions
In “normal” times, cities and towns across America hold Memorial Day parades. Some of the largest are in Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC.
Some people wear a red poppy on Memorial Day. This tradition began with a World War I poem called “In Flander’s Field.”
Never forget
Many of us see the long weekend that includes the national holiday of Memorial Day as the official start of summer. There are picnics, parties, and other celebrations planned. Enjoy yourself. But pause to remember these words that Abraham Lincoln made a part of his Gettysburg Address:
“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Deb Kyle
Deb is a storyteller, but always with a Happily Ever After. She is a fan of books, music, penguins, and romance. When she's not composing at her computer, you'll probably find her with a box of tissues and a good romance book.
