What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31.
History of Memorial Day
This holiday originated from Decoration Day which was first celebrated on the 30th day of May 1868. General John A. Logan, a leader of the Northern Civil War Veterans, called for a day of remembrance. He proclaimed the following:
“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.”
Later, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968), which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.
Memorial Day is to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War I & II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For all who have lost family members or friends while serving in the U.S. military, may you find peace in their sacrifice for our country as we honor them on this Memorial Day 2021.
Wishing you a safe holiday….