Memorial Day: a federal holiday in the United States that honors those who died in all wars in the service of our country. It was originally called Decoration Day.Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans (aka Armistice) Day, which is November 11 and honors all service people living and dead!
Memorial Day has a checkered history. If you want to know the birthplace of Memorial Day, you might be chasing your tail. Over two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. It took President Lyndon Johnson to settle the matter in 1966 by officially declaring Waterloo, NY the birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act changed the official May 30 date to the last Monday in May.
Regardless of the exact date or location of its origins, one thing is clear: Memorial Day was a result of the Civil War and a desire to honor our dead. On the first Decoration Day, May 30, 1868, then General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. Five thousand participants decorated graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who are buried there.
The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000. According to Military.com:
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”If you live in the United States, you may have caught the wonderful annual PBS Memorial Day tribute last night. Returning co-host Joe Mantegna was joined by Laurence Fishburne, since long-time co-host Gary Sinise presented a special WWII tribute during the program. It can also be viewed online on your local PBS web site until June 10. I'm not sure if those who live outside the United States can view it or not, but here is the address: http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/
If you live in the United States, have a wonderful, safe, and respectful Memorial Day. If you live outside the United States, have a wonderful, safe, and joyous Monday.
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15 thoughtful remarks:
Enjoy your Memorial Day, it's good to remember those who died in service for their country. We have a similar day but in November. Take care of yourself, hug, Valerie
A special post! thank you
Thank you for all information in your post Elizabeth. Always something new to learn here.
Enjoy your day remembering
Love Chrissie xx
Enjoy Memorial Day Elizabeth. It's great to remember those who died defending their country, I just wish people didn't have to keep on dying still...
A very special post and yes we must remember where ever we are.
xx
Lovely reminder. I hope you are having a nice day and wish you safe travels home
I learned a lot from this post (being from Canada). I saw your note and yes, if you don't use.a flash then it must be the silver. Oh well, the only one that needs to see it is you, and I'm so glad you like it! Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day.
This is a wonderful explanation of this day, which I can't say I really new. Growing up this was the day we always went to the cemeteries and honored our relatives, none who were in any wars, at least here in the US. I used to love walking through the old gravestones and hearing family stories from my parents. Thanks for the explanation, and I hope you have a wonderful day. Hugs-Erika
Learn something new. I thought the day was originally Remembrance Day, celebrated to remember the Civil War dead. Later to include all servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you for sharing this, Elizabeth. There were facts in it that I wasn't aware of.
Hope your day is blessed.
I'd love to see your spread on cats going in and out:)
Really I didn't know any of this.
Thanks for the "lesson" Elizabeth. I love the way Americans are so proud of their country.
Hope you had a great Monday too, and have a great week ahead.
An important day and once again I have learned something new! Hugs,Chrisx
Its a wonderful tribute and a very special post, we all should remember and honour our protectors.
Yvonne xx
Very interesting history on the holiday here and I'm so glad you shared it. In our family we remembered whomever! But for those who didn't fight in the wars as a military person, there were those fighting on the home front with Victory Gardens and rationing and making do. It's a lovely holiday and so much more than a day off!
It surprises me how many people confuse Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Thanks for helping spread this information. It's definitely a distinction worth noting.
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