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Memorial Day is a United States public holiday that takes place on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates US service men and women who died in military service to their country. It began first to honor those who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.
Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 PM. Another tradition is to fly the US Flag at half-staff.
People originally observed Memorial Day on May 30 and many advocate doing so again.
History
"Decoration Day" was proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan of the GAR, and was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year. The tombs of fallen soldiers were decorated in rememberance this day.
Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army, who it was percieved as commemorating. Many of the Southern States did not recognize Memorial Day until after World War I, and even after continued to have a seperate Confederate Memorial Day, with the date varying from state to state.
The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in the 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967.
In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May.
Related Holidays
Unsurprisingly given its origin in the American Civil War, Memorial Day is not a holiday outside the US (although it coincides with holidays of different origin in some other countries). In the countries of the Commonwealth, and also in France and Belgium, similar observances are held on or around Remembrance Day, on November 11. This date is marked as Veterans Day in the US. The distinction is that Memorial Day honors the US soldiers who died in the wars, while Veterans Day honors those who survived.
Grubstakes Day is a holiday celebrated on the Saturday before Memorial Day in the town of Yucca Valley, California.
See also: Confederate Memorial Day