Memorial Day

(From Kids InfoBits, a Gale online resource)

Memorial Day is an American holiday to honor the men and women who died in war. Originally, it was held on May 30. Then in 1971, President Richard Nixon made it a national holiday. At that time, the date was changed to the last Monday in May.

Decoration Day History

When it first began, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. After the Civil War ended in 1865, people wanted to remember the soldiers who had died. Many families went to cemeteries to decorate the soldiers' graves with flowers.

In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist from Waterloo, New York, suggested the town set aside a day to honor the dead. Everyone agreed, so on May 5, 1866, all the businesses closed. Flags were raised only halfway to show respect for the dead. Houses were draped with black streamers. The villagers paraded to the cemetery to put wreaths, crosses, and flowers on the soldiers' graves and to listen to speeches. Waterloo continued this tradition every year after that. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo the birthplace of Memorial Day, although many other cities also claim they started the holiday.

On May 5, 1868, Civil War veteran John Logan, the head of a powerful political organization, announced that May 30 would be Decoration Day. A ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 people put flowers on the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. Many other cities also held celebrations that day. Even Waterloo changed the date of its celebration to May 30.

By the late 1800s, towns all across the United States celebrated Decoration Day. After World War I, people used this day to honor everyone who had died in any American war. In 1967, the name was officially changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Traditions

On Memorial Day many cities hold parades, and veterans march to cemeteries. Speeches, special services, prayers, and decorating graves with flags or flowers are also part of the day. At Arlington National Cemetery, each grave is decorated with a flag. All weekend long, soldiers patrol to be sure that these flags remain standing. The president or vice president of the United States gives a speech and places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

At army bases around the country, soldiers fire their rifles in a salute. Buglers play the song, "Taps." At sea, sailors throw flowers into the ocean to remember those who died.

For many people, Memorial Day is the beginning of summer activities. Most businesses close for the long holiday weekend. Friends and family gather for cookouts or picnics. Some people visit cemeteries or remember loved ones who have died.