As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, here’s some facts about when it was established.
Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was established after the American Civil War. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic called for a nationwide day of remembrance for the soldiers who had died in the Civil War. The date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of any particular battle, and flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in the United States in 1971, observed on the last Monday in May each year. This change was made to create a three-day weekend for federal employees under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
So, as we celebrate, please remember all those who gave their lives to keep our country safe and to ensure the freedoms we all enjoy.