Americans are accustomed to celebrating Memorial Day annually, eager for the three-day weekend and what many consider the unofficial start of summer.
The weekend may be associated with the unofficial kickoff of the beach season, backyard barbecues and community events, but do you know what Memorial Day is all about?
Before you jump into party planning mode or pack the car for a roadtrip, here’s a refresher on why we recognize the holiday and a crash course in its origins.
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day began under the name “Decoration Day” in1868 — three years after the Civil War ended — and was declared a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers and otherwise honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
It is one of 11 permanent federal holidays observed in the U.S.
When is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday in May. This year, the holiday falls on Monday, May 29.
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History of Memorial Day
On May 5, 1868, Gen. John Logan officially ordered that May 30 be designated as a day of remembrance for those who died serving in the Civil War. It is believed this was data was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
By 1890, all Northern states recognized the holiday, but Southern states chose to honor those who died in the Civil War on separate days.
This divide continued until the holiday changed after World War I to honor Americans who died fighting any war, not just the Civil War.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day after Governor Nelson Rockefeller made a similar declaration that same year.
By the end of the century, Memorial Day ceremonies were held on May 30 throughout the country, the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observances at their facilities and state legislatures passed proclamations designating the day.
In 1972, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, and placed on the last Monday in May, along with the establishing of other federal holidays like President’s Day and Columbus Day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
In 2000, The National Moment of Remembrance Act was signed into law by Congress and the President, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.
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It encourages all citizens to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence, according to Congress.
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
While both holidays honor those who have died serving the country, Memorial Day and Veterans Day differ in purpose.
Veterans Day, originally called “Armistice Day,” is observed annually on Nov. 11 and was established to honor all who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War 1.
Memorial Day honors all who have died, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
It was established in 1926 and signifies the Armistice that ended combat in World War I in 1918. After World War II, the scope of Armistice Day’s purpose broadened in 1954 to recognize those who have served in all American wars.
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