I have always know that Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died during an American war, but I did some checking and found out how it started…..
The day was originally know as “Decoration Day” because the day was dedicated to the Civil War dead, when mourners would decorate the gravesites.
The holiday was first widely observed May 30, 1868, when 5000 people helped decorate the gravesites of 20,000 Union and Confederate solders buried at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War 1, the observance was widened to honor the fallen from all American wars- and in 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday.
Please try to remember the real meaning of this day when you are with your loved ones and take a moment this weekend to really be thankful to all those who have died for our way of life!
Images all courtesy of Google
I remember when it was Decoration Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, Sandy
I have given you the Beautiful Blog Award at
ReplyDeletehttp://heritagehappens.blogspot.com/2011/05/beautiful-blog-award.html