Memorial is a holiday dedicated to honoring those that died in wars. On this holiday, the graves of soldiers are visited and decorated with flowers, flags, or other appropriate items. Many churches hold Memorial Day services. Some communities will have parades. Some hold special ceremonies at cemeteries, or historic battlefields. At the Gettysburg Battlefield, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is read as part of the Memorial Day Ceremony. A special ceremony is also held at Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington, DC. On Memorial Day, flags are flown at half-mast until 12 noon.

Occurring near the beginning of summer, it is considered by many as the start of the summer vacation season. Being a Monday holiday, many Americans take advantage of the long weekend to take a mini vacation to the beach, mountains, or other summer vacation destinations. For those that stay home, outdoor barbecues are also a very popular way Americans enjoy this holiday.

In 1866, Henry Wells convinced all his fellow shop owners in Waterloo, New York to close on May 5th in memorial for all those who died in the Civil War. This was the first Memorial Day observance. In 1868, Major General John Logan issued an order that on May 30 the graves of all union soldiers should be decorated. Hence the holiday became known as Decoration Day. In 1882, the name of the holiday was changed to Memorial Day, and it was expanded to honor soldiers who died in all wars.

During World War I, the red poppy became a symbol for those who died in the war. The poppy was chosen because of a very bloody battle that was fought in a poppy field named Flanders Field. The American Legion started the custom of selling red paper poppies on Memorial Day to honor the dead of World War I, and to raise money for various charities. Memorial Day was known as Poppy Day because of this custom.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the last Monday in May.

Note: This holiday is one of Calendar Mine's over 500 built-in observances.

See Also

Holiday Catalogue

American (USA) Observances