Memorial Day, The Story Behind America's Most Sacred Holiday

Memorial Day is observed every year on the last Monday of May and while most Americans know it as the unofficial start of summer, the story behind it is one of the most moving in American history. The holiday traces its roots to the aftermath of the Civil War, which claimed the lives of an estimated 620,000 soldiers and left devastated communities across the country searching for a way to honor their dead. In the years that followed, families began the quiet tradition of decorating soldiers' graves with flowers, calling it Decoration Day. In 1868, General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, made it official, calling on communities nationwide to observe May 30 as a day of remembrance. "Let us gather around their sacred remains," Logan wrote, "and garland the passions of war with the red roses of love and the white lilies of peace." Congress recognized Waterloo, New York as the holiday's birthplace. After World War I, it expanded to honor the fallen from every American war, and became a federal holiday in 1971.

More than 1.3 million Americans have given their lives in military service since the Revolutionary War. On Memorial Day, the flag flies at half-staff until noon, then rises to full-staff until sunset — honoring both grief and resilience in a single day. At 3 p.m. local time, Americans are invited to observe the National Moment of Remembrance — one minute of silence for every servicemember who never came home. Whether you are at a parade, a cemetery, a backyard cookout, or a quiet moment alone, today is a day to say thank you. Happy Memorial Day.

Source:https://www.history.com/articles/memorial-day-history