Commemorating Memorial Day: History, Traditions, and Importance
Memorial Day, initially known as Decoration Day, originated after the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. Major General John Logan's General Order 11 in 1868 marked the beginning of this commemoration with the decoration of graves. Over time, the observance expanded to honor all service members who died in wars, leading to the establishment of Memorial Day as a national holiday in 1971. Various traditions, such as visiting cemeteries, flag displays, and moments of silence, are observed to pay tribute to the sacrifices of those who served the nation. The day serves as a time of reflection and remembrance for all Americans.
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Memorial Day History and Background
Civil War Also called the War Between the States War began April 12, 1861 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862 freeing all slaves War ended when General Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9,1865 Approximately 620,000 soldiers died during the war Courtesy of the Library of Congress http://memory.loc.gov/master/pnp/cph/3b10000/3b17000/3b17700/3b17751u.tif
Decoration Day Major General John Logan issued General Order 11 on May 30, 1868 The order called for decorating graves of those that died in the Civil War with flowers The holiday continued to grow and be celebrated throughout the nation After World War I, the holiday was expanded to include all service members that had died in all the wars and conflicts of our nation Courtesy of the Library of Congress http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/hec/06300/06301v.jpg
Quote We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. Major General John Logan Grand Army of the Republic May 5, 1868 Courtesy of the Library of Congress http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpbh/01200/01220v.jpg
Memorial Day Celebrated on May 30th until Congress declared it a national holiday in 1971 Memorial Day was then set to be held on the last Monday in May Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000 which encourages all Americans to pause for a minute of silence at 3pm on Memorial Day to remember and honor those that died in service to our country http://www.mcallen.net/veterans/education/images/veterans/Memorial5.jpg Courtesy of the Veterans War Memorial Foundation of Texas http://www.mcallen.net/veterans/default.aspx
Memorial Day Traditions Visiting cemeteries and placing small American flags on each veterans gravesite Displaying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon A moment of silence at 3 pm local time to remember and honor the fallen Memorial Day Parades Wearing of poppy flowers Courtesy of the Veterans War Memorial Foundation of Texas http://www.mcallen.net/veterans/default.aspx
Poem The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last Tattoo; No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few. On Fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards, with solemn round The bivouac of the dead. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.cem.va.gov/images/ohara.jpg "THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD" by Theodore O'Hara, 1847
References United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Memorial Day Background http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp Memorial Day History http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
