The origin of Memorial Day

Although it is important for us to honor all veterans, Memorial Day, which is Monday, is a day where American citizens honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service.

For most of us, the day marks the beginning of the Summer, but is more importantly meant to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms.

Originally, Memorial Day honored the soldiers who had died in the Civil War, but over the course of time, it now honors those who died in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism.

Memorial Day origin:

The origin of honoring fallen soldiers dates back to post-Civil War days, when the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic General John A. Logan established it as Decoration Day.

Logan declared that the day would be a time for Americans to decorate the graves of those who died in battle with flowers.

It was decided that May 30, 1868 would be the day for the observance with the largest ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery, which held the remains of 20,000 Union and several hundred Confederate soldiers.

Although this observance took place in 1868, some lay claim that the first Decoration Day took place in April two years earlier in Columbus, Miss.

A group of women visited a cemetery and decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in the battle at Shiloh.

Because they were the enemy, the women at first neglected to do the same for the Union soldiers, but became disturbed by the sight of the bare graves and decided to place flowers on their graves as well.

Other cities, mostly in the South, have claimed to have held the first Memorial/Decoration Day, but in 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y. as the birthplace for Memorial Day.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were held throughout the nation and state legislatures passed proclamations designating May 30 as the day for observance.

Up until this time, the day remembered those who died in the Civil War, but following World War I, the day was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars.

In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day as a national holiday and placed it on the last Monday in May.

Many Southern states continue to honor the Confederate dead with an additional day of observance calling it Confederate Memorial, Decoration or Heroes Day