Memorial Day, initially known as Decoration Day, is an annual federal holiday in the United States observed in honor of those who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This day was established following the aftermath of the American Civil War and was initially called Decoration Day because on this day graves belonging to those who died in military service were decorated.
This day is observed at memorials, cemeteries, military graveyards or at military-themed parades; while others observe this day by volunteering to put the American flag on all the graves in national cemeteries. Memorial Day oftentimes coincides with the beginning of the summer season in the US, while Labour Day marks the end.
The origin of Memorial Day observations is coupled with controversies and is considered an area of debate. Columbus State University in Georgia and the University of Mississippi have taken it upon themselves to provide the correct accounts of the history of this day in the Center for Memorial Day Research and the Center for Civil War Research, respectively.
According to one account, decorating soldiers’ graves was a common practice before and during the American Civil War. This means that seasonal decorations of cemeteries began way before this war. However, many cities claim to have pioneered this day. For instance, in May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson formally declared that Waterloo, New York as the origin of Memorial Day. However, scholars deemed this claim a myth. Not less than 25 cities followed suit, claiming to be the birthplace of this holiday.
Despite the disputes about the origin of Memorial Day, the first official observance of this day was in May 1868 when General John A. Logan instituted Decoration Day—an occasion for the nation to decorate the graves of soldiers who lost their lives during the Union War. This first formal observation included placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. By the 20th century, a variety of Union and Confederate memorial traditions observed on different days were merged and Memorial Day came to be considered as the official day to honor all the American soldiers who died during military service. In 1968, memorial events were held in 183 graveyards across 27 northern states which quickly adopted this observance. Later in 1871, Decoration Day was declared an official state holiday, and by 1890, all the states followed suit.
In the south, the start of Memorial Day practices is attributed to the ladies of Columbus, Georgia who in April 1866, marked the first observation of Decoration Day by laying flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate fallen soldiers. A variety of dates between April 25th to mid-June were adopted to honor this day across the southern states. Historians recognize that the Ladies Memorial Association played an integral role in upholding the preservation of the Confederate memory. Among the most notable organization being the United Daughters of the Confederacy which was hugely successful at raising funds to build Confederate memorials, working to form the content of history textbooks and lobbying Congress and legislatures for the reburial of the Confederate soldiers. In 1890, southern states shifted their observation of Decoration Day to different days, when the holiday, instead of honoring only those who died fighting in the Civil War, came to honor all Americans who died while fighting any war after World War I and started observing this day on May 30th.
Following the growing popularity of Decoration Day, the name gradually changed to Memorial Day and was first used in 1882. But this change of name wasn’t commonly acknowledged until after World War II and was later declared by Federal Law as the official name of the holiday in 1967. In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed by Congress shifting four holidays, including Memorial Day from their regular dates to a particular Monday to make room for a three-day weekend. Originally, the law was put into effect in 1971 at the federal level but took effect a few years later in most states following some confusions and reluctance to comply. This alteration moved Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May and affected all the 50 states.
During Memorial Day, people wear poppies in honor of those who lost their lives while serving in the military. The origin of the use of poppies as a modern-day symbol dates back to 1915 in John McCrae’, a Canadian soldier’s, poem— “In Flanders Fields”. The opening stanza of this poem refers to the fields of red poppies that grew between the soldiers’ graves in Flanders.
Later, in 1918, Moina Michael gained inspiration from the poem, and while attending a YWCA Overseas War Secretaries’ forum, she wore a silk poppy pinned on her coat and issued more than two dozen to other people who were present. In 1920, the National American Legion adopted the poppies as their official sign of remembrance. Today, poppies are used as a symbol of the loss of life, recovery, and new life in support of war veterans still in service and those not.
Although both Memorial Day and Veterans Day are observed in honor of the veterans who have served the US military service, these holidays significantly differ. Memorial Day is celebrated in honor of those who laid down their lives for the US national defence while Veterans Day honors all those who’ve served their country in the military.
In the US, this is a legal holiday observed on the last Monday of May and the day is marked by closing of most businesses, schools, and government offices. On this day, the United States flag is raised to half-mast until noon. A National Memorial Day Concert is held where music is performed and the soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty are remembered.
Most states observe this day by attending military-themed parades which feature marching bands. Another long-standing tradition during this day is the Indianapolis 500, an auto race which began in 1911. In the late 1950s, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, armed forces personnel would put small American flags individually on each grave at the Arlington National Cemetery and then patrol the graveyard during the Memorial Day weekend to ensure the flags were still upright. Later, in 1998, on the Saturday before Memorial Day, scouts would put candles at soldiers’ graveyards in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. In some cases, the red poppies are placed on the graves of fallen war heroes.
Since 2001, 03:00 pm (local time) on the last Monday of May is observed as the National Moment of Remembrance and citizens are requested to stop what they’re doing as a sign of honor to those who died in military service for the US.
Other countries across the world also observe Memorial Day on different days in honor of their fallen soldiers. Below is a list of these countries, and the respective dates when memorial day is celebrated:
Anzac Day
Every April 25th, Australians and New Zealanders honor those who served and lost their lives in all the wars, conflicts, diplomacy actions, as well as their contribution and suffering.
Armistice Day
In France, Armistice Day is observed on November 11th to mark the armistice which was signed among the Allies of World War I and Germany. France retained this name during World War II while other countries reformed the name of this holiday. Nonetheless, this holiday pays respect to the fallen soldiers and is related to Remembrance Day, which is common among Commonwealth countries.
Remembrance Day
This day is observed in most Commonwealth nations in honor of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. This day is celebrated on November 11th by all Commonwealth Nations such as Australia, Canada, India, UK, South Africa, among others, except Mozambique.
Remembrance of the Dead (Dodenherdenking)
This day is observed in the Netherlands on May 4th in commemoration of all the civilians and armed forces personnel of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who lost their lives during wars or peacekeeping missions since the start of World War II.
People’s Day of Mourning (Volkstrauertag)
In Germany, this day is observed on the second Sunday before Advent in honor of the members of the armed forces, including civilians who lost their lives in armed conflicts and those involved in violent oppression. This day was first observed in 1952 in its modern form.
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