Memorial Day

: DCRWorkfoFce> Talent Management Made Simple I Collaborative VMS|MSP Servicing What is Memorial Day? Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who died in our Nation's service. It was originally established to commemorate the deceased after the Civil War. the unofficial beginning of summer activities Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May * ** Memorial Day pays tribute to those American soldiers who lost their lives Established after the Civil War by Union Veterans and named "Decoration Day" 1868 May 30th, 1868 – The first Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery 4,435 American Revolution 1873 2,260 War of 1812 1873 – New York is first state to officially recognize the holiday 1,000 Indian Wars 1967 13,283 Mexican War 1967- Established as an official 498,332 holiday Spanish-American War 1968 116,516 World War I 1968 – Through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Congress moved Memorial day to be celebrated on the last Monday in May 405,399 World War II 54,246 2000 Korean War* 2000 - Congress passed and the president signed an act creating a National Moment of 90,220 Vietnam War Remembrance, which encourages people to stop at 3 pm for a moment of silence. 1,948 Desert Shield/Desert Storm 4,422 Operation Iraqi Freedom 66 Operation New Dawn Flowers (red poppies) & Flags are the two most popular items people use to remember soldiers 2,346* On Memorial Day, the flag should Operation Enduring Freedom be at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. American lives lost > Sources: The Huffington Post, CNN,