History of Memorial Day

Keeping the memory alive

Memorial Day, a federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May, dates back to the Civil War. Formerly known as Decoration Day and officially decreed a holiday in 1967, the date and name of Memorial Day became fixed by the uniform Holidays Bill of June 28, 1968. Alternate versions of the holiday still exist in parts of the South, where various state legislatures have created holidays to commemorate the deaths of Confederate soldiers.

A time of strife

Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, many communities in the North and the South held ceremonies to commemorate the devastation their communities suffered due to casualties. The first large-scale celebration took place in Charleston, South Carolina, where thousands of freed slaves and Union soldiers took part in a parade followed by patriotic singing and picnics.

The following year, in Waterloo, New York, at the urging of noted citizen General John Murray, a celebration honored fallen Union soldiers. Historians widely credit this observance as being the first true Memorial Day. Inspired by the southern tradition as well as the more ancient tradition of the Greeks, the graves of the dead were decorated with flowers, laurels, and other objects. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, General John A. Logan issued a proclamation that Decoration Day be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year. The holiday grew in popularity over the following years under the name Decoration Day.

Widening the tent

After World War I, the holiday's official purpose changed to include honoring any fallen soldier from any U.S. military action. Although the date of the holiday has been altered from its fixed May 30 position to create three-day weekends, some veterans groups still call for moving the holiday back to its traditional date as a sign of respect for veterans.

Traditionally, surviving relatives of veterans visit graves and decorate them with flags, flowers and personal items. Additionally, volunteer groups decorate graves at national cemeteries.

Dual nature

Aside from its more somber official function, Memorial Day also serves as the unofficial beginning of summer. Since 1911, the Indianapolis 500 has been held on Memorial Day weekend. Many use the three-day weekend to travel for the first time in the summer, visiting beaches, lakes, and state parks in great numbers. The picnics and parades of the earlier tradition persist, with numerous local festivities having cropped up over the years. Many churches include a reference to veterans and deceased service members in sermons the day before the holiday.

More information on Memorial Day decorations