Memorial Day weekend is underway for many people, but do you know what the holiday is all about in the first place? Here are a few facts to get you started:
1. It wasn't always called Memorial Day.
Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day, a nationwide effort to decorate the graves of those who died in the Civil War. The first Decoration Day was held on May 30, 1868, three years after the war ended. That day, more than 20,000 Union and Confederate graves were decorated with flowers.
2. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York.
Waterloo earned this distinction thanks to a local pharmacist called Henry C. Welles, who came up with the idea to decorate Civil War graves with flowers in 1865. The actual memorial was held on May 5, 1866, which Gen. John B. Murray helped organize. It was during President Lyndon B. Johnson's time when Waterloo was designated as the holiday's birthplace.
3. There's actually a law in place on how to celebrate Memorial Day.
In 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was signed into law. It stipulates that a minute of silence must be held at 3 p.m. local time during Memorial Day. The time was apparently chosen because it is when Americans are able to enjoy their freedom the most during the holiday.
4. It's observed on a Monday alongside three other holidays.
Before the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, Memorial Day was always held on May 30. Now, it falls on the last Monday of May, creating a three-day weekend. Other holidays observed on Mondays include Columbus Day, Labor Day and George Washington's birthday.
5. Not everyone was keen on celebrating Memorial Day in the beginning.
In its early years, Memorial Day was closely associated with the Union, so a lot of Southern states didn't adhere to the holiday. Only when it was expanded to honor those who died fighting in any American war did the nation come together to celebrate Memorial Day. However, some Southern states still maintain separate celebrations to honor just Confederate soldiers, like Jan. 19 in Texas, April 26 in Georgia and June 3 in Louisiana.
6. Memorial Day is officially celebrated every year at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Annually, a ceremony is held to commemorate the holiday, in which the president or vice president of the country lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. An American flag is also placed on every grave in the cemetery.
7. It has other customs.
Wearing artificial poppies on the day was inspired by a World War I poem by John McCrea called "In Flanders Fields." Additionally, the American flag is supposed to fly at half-staff until noon before being raised to the top of the staff until the sun sets, while cities and towns across the country host parades and other activities highlighting the efforts of service members. The holiday also unofficially heralds the start of summer, thus the prevalence of parties, barbecues and other celebrations of the like during Memorial Day weekend, as well as deals that fuel shopping sprees.
Photo: Jeff Turner | Flickr
