Honoring Heroes
Memorial Day: From Decoration Day to a National Tribute
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, honors fallen U.S. military personnel who sacrificed their lives.
Memorial Day, a cherished American holiday, is observed on the last Monday of May each year. It honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military. However, this solemn day of remembrance was not always known by its current name. Originally, it was called "Decoration Day," a name that reflects its early traditions and origins.
The Origins of Decoration Day
The roots of Memorial Day trace back to the aftermath of the Civil War, a conflict that claimed more lives than any other in U.S. history. This immense loss necessitated the creation of the country's first national cemeteries. In the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities began holding springtime tributes to the countless fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. This practice of "decorating" graves gave rise to the name "Decoration Day."
One of the earliest recorded commemorations took place in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1865. Organized by a group of formerly enslaved people, this event honored Union soldiers who had died in a Confederate prison camp. Despite such early observances, the federal government later declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event on May 5, 1866, where businesses closed, and residents decorated soldiers' graves with flowers and flags.
The Formalization of Decoration Day
The formal establishment of Decoration Day came on May 5, 1868, when General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. He designated May 30, 1868, for "strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion." Logan chose this date because it was not the anniversary of any specific Civil War battle, allowing for a neutral day of remembrance.
The first national observance of Decoration Day took place at Arlington National Cemetery, where General James Garfield delivered a speech to approximately 5,000 participants. They decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there. This event set a precedent, and many Northern states held similar commemorative events, making Decoration Day an official state holiday by 1890. However, Southern states continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.
Evolution into Memorial Day
Initially, Decoration Day was dedicated solely to honoring those who had died in the Civil War. This changed after World War I, as the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recent conflicts. The name "Memorial Day" gradually became more common than "Decoration Day" after World War II, but it was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967.In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. This change, which took effect in 1971, was intended to create a three-day weekend for federal employees, thus establishing Memorial Day as a federal holiday.
Modern Observances
Today, Memorial Day is marked by various traditions that honor the fallen. One of the most poignant is the placing of small American flags on the graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. This tradition, which began with the first Decoration Day, continues to be a central part of Memorial Day observances.In addition to cemetery visits, Memorial Day is commemorated with parades, speeches, and ceremonies across the country. The National Memorial Day Concert, held on the west lawn of the United States Capitol, is a significant event that brings together thousands of people to honor the sacrifices of American service members.
Memorial Day, once known as Decoration Day, has a rich history rooted in the aftermath of the Civil War. From its early beginnings as a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers, it has evolved into a national holiday that honors all American military personnel who have died in service to their country. As we observe Memorial Day, it is essential to remember the origins of this solemn day and the sacrifices it commemorates.