Memorial Day
As the American Civil War came to an end in 1865, communities across the U.S. honored fallen soldiers through local ceremonies at burial sites. On May 30, 1868, the first national ceremony of this kind took place on a day that would come to be known as Memorial Day — though at the time, it was called “Decoration Day.”
A few weeks before the ceremony, John Logan, head of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans organization, issued a proclamation urging Americans to decorate Civil War soldiers’ graves with springtime’s “choicest” blooms. Logan stated that the May 30 commemoration would be “designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.” About 5,000 people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for the first official Decoration Day observance. Along with flowers, each grave was adorned with a small American flag.
By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day ceremonies were taking place on May 30 throughout the country. The name had started to evolve by this time, too; people began using the term “Memorial Day” instead. That moniker, however, didn’t become common until after World War II, and Congress didn’t make the name change official until 1967. A year later, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, declaring that certain federal holidays would be observed on Mondays, including Memorial Day, which was to be commemorated annually on the last Monday in May. Today, the holiday honors all Americans who have died in military service.
It’s legally required to observe a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day.
Despite Memorial Day’s origins as a time to honor fallen Civil War soldiers, it has largely become an unofficial kickoff to the summer season. What barbeque lovers and beach trippers might not know, however, is that the holiday also comes with a law requiring a National Moment of Remembrance. This solemn reminder was said to be inspired by a group of children. While touring Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., in 1996, the children were asked what Memorial Day meant to them. Their answer? “The day the pools open!” The National Moment of Remembrance law was passed in 2000, and encourages all Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. local time to think about the sacrifices of fallen military personnel.
I didn’t know (or just didn’t remember) about the moment of remembrance law.
Looks like the ads are celebrating the holiday on the PhxP.
I usually remember my dad who survived WW2, passing in 2000. A minute of remembrance for those who paid with their lives; so we are free to remember going to the river a week before the holiday to beat the crowds. As one of the rare few who shed blood for my country in civilian service, I appreciate the work of the armed forces much more than I ever did before.
Memorial Day is always a bit sad for me. I had a step-nephew who was taken out by a sniper in Baghdad in 2007. He had been in and out of minor crime as a teen and then went on to drugs. In one moment of sanity he saw a doctor who thought he had ADHD. My spidey teacher sense always thought he had a learning issue, but no one would listen to me. He got sober, joined the army, and became quite the scholar (and a Christian) through reading the classics, including the Bible, on his own. My own nephew almost lost his life in Afghanistan a few years later. Thankfully, we got him back after a lot of medical care and he he happily selling real estate.
I take a few minutes to remember every year. Almost all the men in my family have served if they are over 40.