Memorial Day is a national holiday that takes place on May 30th although it is observed the last Monday of May, and it is a remembrance of the sacrifice of military men and women who lost their lives serving the United States of America.
Its origins come from the Civil War times, when General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30th, 1868 as Decoration Day; a date in the calendar to honor dead soldiers from Civil War decorating their graves with flowers and flags. After World War I the name Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day to include WWI's dead soldiers in the remembrance.
Monument of General Philip Kearny Civil War Hero
On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there (us.memorialday.org)
On May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared officially Waterloo in New York as the place of origins of Memorial Day.
The holiday is observed with patriotic ceremonies, parades and dead soldiers' friends and families visit cemeteries. At parks and squares monuments of heroes from Civil War, World War I, World War II and other wars are visited by local authorities that lay down flags and wreaths with the American colors.
The long holiday weekend brings families together at BBQ and outdoor activities in parks and beaches when officially the shore season starts.Grilled sausage and meats like steak, burgers, chicken, and ribs are enjoyed with grilled vegetables and salads as traditional dishes for the holiday.
Memorial Day is then an opportunity to salute the memory of our heroes at the
National Moment of Remembrance on Monday, May 28th at 3 pm; just one minute to remember and honor their ultimate sacrifice. Reference
Memorial Day History
