- When: Observed on the last Monday of May.
- Purpose: To honour U.S. military personnel who have died in service to their country.
Historical Background
- After the Civil War (1861–1865): Thousands of soldiers died, and communities began decorating their graves with flowers as a way to honour the fallen.
- Decoration Day: Originally called Decoration Day, it first became a Nationwide tradition in the late 1860s.
- Key early observances:
- 1868: General John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially proclaimed May 30 as Decoration Day.
- People across the country visited cemeteries, held parades, and decorated graves with flowers.
Evolution into Memorial Day
- After World War I, Memorial Day began to honour all American military personnel who died in any war, not just the Civil War.
- 1971: Memorial Day became an official federal holiday, observed on the last Monday of May to create a three-day weekend.
Modern Traditions
- Cemetery visits and laying flowers remain central.
- Parades, speeches, and ceremonies honour fallen soldiers.
- Barbecues, family gatherings, and the unofficial start of summer have become part of the holiday culture.