The History of Memorial Day

By Crystal Arcand on May 24th, 2009

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Memorial Day is a federal holiday formerly known as Decoration Day, but what do your kids know about it besides that they’re out of school? What are we remembering or decorating? Where did it come from and why does the date always move around?

Memorial Day is a day to remember men and women who have died in military service to their country. It was originally called Decoration Day because it was first celebrated by decorating the graves of dead soldiers. The first known celebration was in 1866 in Waterloo, New York. In 1868, General Order 11 was issued stating that May 30

“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. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way, arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”

As it was originally intended to honor the Union soldiers that had died during the Civil War, most southern states refused to celebrate the holiday. However, after several years, all 50 states did finally adopt the observance. After World War I, the holiday’s purpose was expanded to memorialize all men and women who have died during military duty.

The alternate name of Memorial Day began to be used in 1882, but didn’t become popular until after World War II. In 1967, a federal law was passed changing the name of the holiday to Memorial Day. On June 28, 1968, the Uniform Holidays Act was passed, which moved the traditional dates of Washington’s birthdays, Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day to a specified Monday to that three-day weekends would be created. Memorial Day moved from May 30 to the last Monday in May.

There have been attempts to move the date back to its traditional day to reintroduce the true purpose of the holiday from the “summer fun and a day off work” connotation it has taken on since the Uniform Holidays Act was passed. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) have been among the notable advocates of the return. In a 2002 Memorial Day Address, the VFW stated that “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day.” Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran from Hawaii has introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its traditional date on numerous occasions since 1987.

While there’s certainly no harm nor foul in enjoying a three-day weekend with a backyard barbecue or party, there’s also something to be said for remembrance. Taking an hour or two out of the 72 this weekend offers to remember the sacrifices that have been made by nearly 4.2 million American men and women to secure the freedoms we enjoy should be at the top of our Memorial Day itineraries. Show your kids pictures of a family member that has served in the Armed Forces, or visit the veteran’s court at your local cemetery. Then go have a hot dog for somebody’s Uncle Joe that’s serving overseas and can’t enjoy one.