The History and Beginnings of Memorial Day

HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY А.Н.С. E S.C 1966 Waterloo, NY was declared (KLE EC the official birthplace of Memorial Day by President Johnson in 1966. DEMAN On the first, official Memorial Day a large ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery and flowers were placed on the headstones. Over two dozen towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. The first Tstate to recognize the r day was NY, G. W. J.E. C.R. • 2000 • After WWI the Day was adjusted to celebrate the deceased in all wars. The National Moment EZ of Remembrance was initiated. Most southern states refused to recognize the day officially until after WWI 1971 A National Holiday Act was signed by Con- gress in 1971, ensuring a three day weekend for the Federal Holiday. 1868 2004 Memorial Day was first Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years. observed on May 30th 1868 Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th. A General, not a President, declared Memorial Day. 1988 Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists descend on Washington D.C. each Memorial Day in a parade of appreciation for fallen soldiers, MIA's, and 1951 The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began the placement of 150,000 flags at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. This tradition still stands. POW's. This tradition started in 1988 with 2,500 motorcyclists. WHAT IS MEMORIAL DAY Memorial Day is the, unofficial, beginning Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who died in our of summer activities. Nation's service. Originally started to commemorate the deceased of the Civil War. - The original name for the holiday was Decoration Day. Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. MON - US death tolls for Memorial Weekend are higher than almost any other weekend. HOW WE CELEBRATE Red poppies are the unofficial flower of 56% Memorial Day. Fly a US flag at half staff until 33% The VFW was the first veterans' organization to sell poppies nationally. The "Buddy" Poppy Program sells imitation poppies made by veterans. noon Celebrate in other ways On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half staff until noon 5.6% Fly a POW MIA flag and full staff the rest of the day. 22% Provide public decoration The National Moment 5.6% of remembrance asks Take part in National Moment of Remem- that all Americans, at 3:00 pm Memorial Day, pause from any berance at 3pm while Taps is played. action to somehow honor the deceased of our many wars. FACTS The first state to recognize the day was NY. Southern women are said to have started the tradition of decorating the graves of Confeder- ate. Soldiers with flags and flowers. Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee, all have separate days to honor the South's Civil War hero's.