MEMORIAL DAY 2025
(excerpted from a Reader’s Digest article)
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. It is considered a federal holiday in the United States, a day to honor and mourn members of the military who have passed away while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
History of Memorial Day Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began with an idea from General John Logan as a way to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. The first celebration, on May 30, 1868, was held at Arlington National Cemetery, with a crowd of 5,000 people decorating the graves of more than 20,000 military personnel with flowers. Most experts believe General Logan planned the first Decoration Day for that day because northern and southern states would have flowers in bloom by then, though others believe the date was ideal because it didn’t coincide with the anniversary of any battles.
Various Washington officials, including General Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home, among others, made their way through the cemetery, scattering flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers, and singing hymns. Many also came prepared with a picnic lunch.
It wasn’t until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor all veterans who died in any American war. In 1971, Decoration Day became officially known as Memorial Day, and Congress passed an act declaring it a national holiday.
There are a number of Memorial Day activities that individuals and families enjoy participating in every year, and there are also some very meaningful Memorial Day traditions you can honor:
Red (remembrance) poppies (symbol of war casualties)
National Moment of Remembrance (3:00 pm local time
Flying a flag at half-staff (until noon)
Playing or listening to “Taps” (bugle call)
Visiting a local veterans cemetery (as the years go by, many veterans no longer have family nearby; consider bringing flowers to a grave that doesn’t have any)
