05/26/2023
10 FACTS ABOUT MEMORIAL DAY
#1 Not Always Been Called Memorial Day
Originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day since people spent the day – decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.¹
#2 Debate about the Birthplace of Memorial Day
History books record the official birthplace of Memorial Day as Waterloo, New York.
However, 25 other American cities claim to be the birthplace of the holiday. This is still debated today.
#3 The Date Was Chosen for a Specific Reason
“On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. ‘The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”⁴
May 30 was chosen in particular because it was not the anniversary of any battles.
#4 Now the Date Changes Every Year
Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, designating the last Monday in May for Memorial Day to allow Memorial Day to become a three-day weekend for federal employees.⁵
#5 Memorial Day Originally Honored Lives Lost during the Civil War.
Decoration Day was originally intended to honor the lives of those who died fighting in the Civil War.
Additionally, Southern states hosted their own Decoration Day, known as Confederate Memorial Day. Some Southern states continue to recognize Confederate Memorial Day.
However, after World War I, Memorial Day grew to honor all military members who died serving in any military conflicts.
#6 U.S. Presidents Mark the Occasion
It’s customary for the current U.S. president to deliver a speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery.
President Ulysses S. Grant gave the first Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery. The speech lasted almost two hours.⁶
#7 A Moment of Remembrance Is Held at 3 P.M.
There is a law in place that requires Americans to remember those military members whose lives were lost.
“The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute). The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.”⁷
#8 Memorial Day Parades Are a Well-Loved Tradition
Many American families will spend some time enjoying a parade this Memorial Day. This is an ongoing tradition.
The first Memorial Day parade was held in Doylestown, Pennsylvania in 1867.⁸
#9 Memorial Day Unofficially Begins Summer Travel Season
While the official start of summer begins with the June solstice (June 20, 2021), many Americans treat Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer.
The combination of warmer weather and a three-day weekend also gives way to one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
#10 A Massive Number of Hot Dogs Are Consumed Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is often associated with outdoor picnics and barbecues.
So, it shouldn’t be too surprising to discover that 60% of Americans plan to cook out for Memorial Day or that Americans consume a ton of hot dogs over the three-day weekend.
Fortunately, there are more than 120 running races that take place on Memorial Day so folks can run off the calories they consume over the holiday weekend.¹
REMEMBER AS YOU CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY
As Ronald Reagan stated in his 1967 inaugural address as Governor of California:
“Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”
