By: Angela Redding | Los Angeles, CA. | Hollywood Beat magazine | 5/28/2023 Photos: Charles Thompson, Jackie Williamson, Liam Ortiz
This Memorial Day, are you barbecuing and anticipating the start of summer? This momentous day has a long history. Read on to learn more about Memorial Day‘s history.
“The purpose of all war is peace,”
Saint Augustine (354-430)For love of country they accepted death…
James A. Garfield
How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
Maya Angelou
In addition to grilling and the impending start of summer, Memorial Day is significant for a variety of other reasons. As a result, our awareness of and connection to this historical day must promote greater esteem for those who have served and given their lives for this country.
5 Historical Facts About Memorial Day
As Memorial Day draws near and we get ready to celebrate in style with parades, family get-togethers, or place flags at gravesites, let’s take time to pause and focus on 5 historical facts about the day.
Here are five noteworthy, perhaps lesser-known Memorial Day facts.
1 ) When is Memorial Day observed and why?
Memorial Day is observed in the United States on the last Monday of May in memory of those who lost their lives while serving their country in the armed forces.
2) What was the first Memorial Day Order (General Order No. 11) known by when it was issued?
General John A. Logan, the founding leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, announced the first official acknowledgment of Memorial Day as such. This was General Order No. 11, which established what was then called “Decoration Day.” The order was issued on May 5, 1868.
He declared May 30th of every year to be “Decoration Day” in 1868. That initial occasion included activities in 183 cemeteries spread over 27 states.
After World War I, the holiday was modified to honor all active-duty military personnel. After World War II, Memorial Day replaced Decoration Day as the official name.
As time passed, in order to have three day weekends, the date was shifted from May 30 to the final Monday in May in 1971.
3) What form does the American flag take when it is folded correctly?
The flag is lowered every day at the final note of retreat as per Army and Navy protocol. To ensure that no part of the flag hits the ground, extra care should be exercised. The flag is then expertly folded to resemble a triangular hat, a representation of the hats used by colonial soldiers during the American Revolution. As the day turns into night throughout the folding process, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped around by the blue.
Only the American flag is subject to this specific folding tradition.
4) What is the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution?
Former President Bill Clinton signed a resolution in December 2000 that said on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans are encouraged to “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, halting from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to “Taps.”
5) What distinguishes Memorial Day from Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a day of celebration for all veterans, as opposed to Memorial Day, which remembers those who have passed away.
Memorial Day is a moment to remember and respect those who fought and gave their lives during wartime for this nation and its allies. It has a special position in American history. In 1868, General John A. Logan asked for “Decoration Day,” now known as Memorial Day, to be observed nationally and annually.
Now that Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday in May, take some time to honor those who served this country and gave their lives in order for all of us to enjoy freedom this Memorial Day, no matter how you and your family choose to celebrate.
Activities To Celebrate Memorial Day
- See Civil War movies
- Volunteer to place flags on the graves of service personnel at a nearby cemetery
- Create a festive mural in sidewalk chalk
- Hang a flag and fly it
- Take part in a Memorial Day parade
How will you celebrate Memorial Day?
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