Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring those who have died in military service for the United States. It occurs on the last Monday of May and is observed by visiting graves and memorials, holding parades, flying flags, and wearing red poppies to remember the soldiers who have passed. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and commemorated soldiers who died in the Civil War. Over time, however, it became a day to honor all veterans who have fallen while serving in U.S.
Why do we observe Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those who have died while serving in our armed forces. While Memorial Day is not a federal holiday in most states, it has become a day of tradition for Americans from coast to coast. It's also known as Military Appreciation Day or National Salute to America's Armed Forces Day. In 1978, Congress passed legislation to designate May 30th as a national observance for people to decorate graves of veterans with flowers. Later that year, Congress passed another resolution stating that Memorial Day should be observed on the last Monday in May so that it wouldn't interfere with any other important holidays.
The History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on May 30. The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Memorial Day began after Civil War Union General John A. Logan declared that every May 30 should be set aside to honor those who gave their lives while serving. In 1868, General Logan issued an order calling on citizens to decorate soldiers’ graves with flowers and flags at national cemeteries in order to express gratitude to those who had given their lives for their country. These tributes quickly grew into ceremonies involving parades, speeches by notable leaders and public singing of patriotic songs.
How did the holiday start?
The first Memorial Day was observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The holiday's official name is Decoration Day and it became a federal holiday in 1971. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation making Memorial Day an official federal holiday; the legislation had been introduced by Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The day honors the men and women who have fallen while serving in the United States military and those who have given their lives since Sept. 11, 2001 fighting against terrorism around the world.
How To Show Support
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have fallen while fighting for our country. While we don’t know when it started or how it came about, over time it has become a great way to remember those that fought for us and show them support. It’s not required to throw large parties or cookouts like many people do around Independence Day; but instead simply showing some gratitude is enough. It’s important to show appreciation and respect because without our veterans sacrificing themselves in service of their country we wouldn’t be able to live in America as freely as we do today. So how can you show your support? Well there are many ways such as posting on social media to show your support, donating blood at local hospitals, sending flowers or cards to families of fallen soldiers and even planting flags on gravesites. These acts may seem small but they mean a lot to those who lost someone special in war. So please join us in honoring our veterans by doing something nice for them!