Know the Holiday

Did you know that Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day? Or that it unofficially marks the beginning of summer? Or that each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time? I don't think so. Memorial Day isn’t just about barbecues and parades. It’s about honoring the men and women who died in the Civil War. Here is how Memorial Day actually started, and what it means…

It isn’t exactly clear where this tradition originated, as numerous countries have initiated gatherings, but all of them have the same purpose. The purpose is to honor people who have died in the Civil War. The earliest celebrations were from formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina, Waterloo, and others.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. It was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary for any specific battle, but it celebrated them all.

On Monday, May 25th, most of us have the day off, and we’ll probably have some fun. But let’s all take a moment, to say thank you to all of the Civil War soldiers, men and women, who have risked their lives for our country.