The History of Memorial Day

Originally called Decoration Day, a tradition of decorating graves with wreaths, flowers, and flags, Memorial Day is a remembrance day for the men and women who have died while serving in the United States military. 

On May 30, 1868, the holiday was first observed to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers by John A. Logan, General of the Grand Army Republic, which is an organization of former soldiers and Union sailors. The Civil War saw the most casualties in any United States conflict in US history.

While it is unsure exactly where the tradition of Memorial Day came from, a plethora of different communities may have initiated the celebration. Some records highlight that the earliest celebration of Memorial Day came from a group of former slaves in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865.

During the first ever large commemoration, former Union General and Ohio Congressman, and future United States President James Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, after 5,000 people spent time to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 soldiers who had been buried there.

The event sparked the public to take more action honoring and remembering fallen soldiers by holding observances at burial grounds in different towns and cities throughout the nation.

In 1873, New York became the first state to recognize Memorial Day as a legal holiday. This sparked the birth of Memorial Day. Later in the 1800’s, more and more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, as well as recognizing it as a legal holiday.

After World War 1, Memorial Day started to recognize fallen soldiers from all wars, and was more widely celebrated throughout the United States.

In 1971, Congress established that Memorial Day be a federal holiday on the last Monday in May. This date was chosen because it didn’t correlate with any specific battle. Traditionally, Memorial Day is celebrated each year at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. 

The President or Vice President makes a visit to lay flowers or a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. About 5,000 people attend the commemoration annually. 

Both Oregon and Brooklyn hold commemorations at the communities’ Veterans Memorial during Memorial Day weekend to honor and remember the sacrifices of fallen soldiers from the area. 

Memorial Day is observed by closing businesses and schools in order to honor and remember the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers. It’s not just a day off, it’s a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.