Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States which honors and mourns the Americans who have died in the performance of their military duties. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May.
History
On May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC, African Americans honored hundreds of Black soldiers killed in the Civil War and buried in mass graves. To begin with, they moved the bodies and gave each a proper burial. Afterwards, they held a parade in the soldiers’ honor. This memorial honoring of Black fallen soldiers is believed to have been the first Memorial Day. It later became a recognized holiday.
Remembering and Honoring
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day. This day is set aside to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place American flags on military graves in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States.
Many cities claimed to have been the first to celebrate Memorial Day. In 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic called for a “Decoration Day”. By 1890, every Northern state adopted it as a holiday. The World Wars turned Decoration Day into a generalized day of remembrance. In 1971, Congress standardized the holiday as “Memorial Day” and changed its observance.
Two other days celebrate those who have served or are serving in the U.S. military:
- Armed Forces Day – which honors those currently serving in the armed forces,
- Veterans Day – which honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
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Source: Wikipedia
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