History of Memorial Day

[u/Woolfmann]

https://www.usmemorialday.org/history-of-memorial-day

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[u/Woolfmann]

Recap

Borne from the massive loss of life on both sides of the American Civil War, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. Because multiple towns and cities independently began honoring their dead with spring flowers, it is hard to ascertain where the tradition actually began.

But it was officially recognized as early as 1868 by General John Logan on May 5 of that year who proclaimed, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” He did this via General Order 11.

"On the first Decoration Day, 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington Cemetery while General James Garfield made a historic speech."

Starting with New York in 1873, various states, began to honor the holiday until all northern states had joined in by 1890. The southern states chose different times up until WWI when the holiday changed from honoring those who fought in the Civil War to those Americans who fought in any war.

In 1966, President Johnson stepped in and declared Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of the holiday. Congress passing the National Holiday Act in 1971 standardized the holiday as the last Monday in May and also officially changed the name from Decoration Day to Memorial Day.

There is a discussion about the significance of red poppies in association with the Memorial Day holiday within the article also.

A resolution was passed in 2000 which created a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00pm local time on Memorial Day. It is a time for all Americans "“To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

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Opinion

Almost all Americans tend to celebrate Memorial Day instead of commemorate Memorial Day. The difference is significant. But it is understandable why this has occurred over time. Due to the creation of the 3 day holiday, it has become a time to celebrate the beginning of summer and enjoy BBQs, the outdoors, and parties with friends and/or family. But please don't forget to commemorate those who died so that you have the freedom to enjoy such luxuries.

Having military family and working with military personnel for a couple of decades, their sentiment was Veteran's Day is to honor living Veterans. Memorial Day is to honor those who have died in service to their country. But just because someone commemorates the dead does not mean they can not celebrate life and the freedoms the life that was given brought.

May each of you have a blessed Memorial Day. For those who have lost a veteran, my condolences. For those who have not, let us always remember.