When we think of Memorial Day today, we honor all those who gave their lives in the United States Military. However, did you know that Memorial Day was originally created to honor the Civil War?
Remembering the Civil War
The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history. It raged from 1861 to 1865 and claimed the lives of approximately 620,000 soldiers on both sides. At the heart of the conflict was slavery, however, it was wrapped up in the complex economic and political desire for control in the North and South. Tensions rose following the election of President Abraham Lincoln, leading the South to secede from the rest of the nation. After five bloody years, the South surrendered and returned to the United States.
The first documented observance of Memorial Day was in Charleston, South Carolina, with the decoration of soldiers’ graves on May 1, 1865. Approximately 10,000 Charleston residents, primarily newly freed, former enslaved people, attended, where they sang songs, picnicked, and celebrated the great sacrifice of the Union soldiers. Flowers, wreaths, and flags were laid at graves in war cemeteries, making the gravesites look like “one mass of flowers.” Just as we do now, regiments marched around the graves and staged a drill.
The celebration of Memorial Day became more widespread with the help of General John Logan, the leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans. General Logan designated May 30 as Decoration Day in honor of Civil War soldiers.
A Modern Holiday
After World War I, the holiday was renamed Memorial Day, to honor those American soldiers who had died in all wars, later including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, and the Afghanistan and Iraqi Wars. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, changing Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May so that federal workers could have a three-day weekend.
Memorial Day is now celebrated all across the country. A special ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery, where a small American flag is placed at every grave. Military services conduct memorial services and the US president is also known to give a speech and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Approximately 5,000 people attend annually.
While you enjoy your long weekend, take a moment to honor the great sacrifice American men and women have made to protect our country. Perhaps remember friends or family members who fought in the military and thank them for their service, either in person or with flags and flowers on their graves.
[Post by Emma Larson-Whittaker, Library and Outreach Assistant, Starrett City]
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