The first Memorial Day was celebrated on May 5, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War. This first day of remembrance, simply called Decoration Day, was organized by the Grand Army of the Republic. Made up of Union soldiers who survived the war, these men honored those who did not survive by decorating their graves.
The first large observance was held at the Arlington mansion. Speeches were made, prayers were said, and, afterward, members of GAR laid flowers on the graves of men from both sides.
Why do we celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday of May?
Though the first Memorial Day was held in early May, it was later suggested by Major General John A. Logan that the day be moved to the end of the month. The reason? Flowers would be more readily available toward the end of May. He told his men to decorate “with the choicest flowers of springtime.”
It is estimated that 5,000 people attended that very first Decoration Day. They had no way of knowing that by coming together to remember they were starting a tradition that would continue on. Though across the country people gather at national cemeteries to place flags and flowers on the grave, Waterloo, NY was declared the birthplace of Decoration Day in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. A few years later, in 1971, Congress officially moved the date to the late Monday in May and changed the name from Decoration Day to Memorial Day.
So, as we head into the long weekend, take a moment to remember the reason behind it.
Ryanne Harper