Remembering Our Fallen Heroes-Sheroes

memorialday

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes-Sheroes

Celebrated to honor the fallen soldiers of the U.S. Military, Memorial Day is a federal holiday, observed annually on May 31. Originally known as Decoration Day, its origin traces back to the civil war that claimed the lives of more than 20,000 military members.

Every year on this day, Americans pay tribute to the National stalwarts by participating in the parade, visiting cemeteries, and holding family gatherings.

HISTORY

After the end of the American Civil War in 1865, many states and cities started holding summer-time tributes to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives.

In 1868, General John A. Logan declared May 30 as Decoration Day and called for a national remembrance of fallen soldiers. After 1971, Congress declared to celebrate the holiday annually on the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend for federal employees.

Originally, the national holiday honored only the fallen soldiers of the Civil war. However, after WWI, it included the American Soldiers of all wars.

TRADITION

Memorial Day is celebrated in different ways across the United States. Here’s how you can celebrate Memorial Day-

  • Attend a Parade- There are several parades held throughout the country by Veterans. You can attend these parades or host your own before a memorial day party.
  • Visit a Cemetary- Memorial day is designated to decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers with flowers and candles. You can pay your tribute by dropping in with some fresh flowers.
  • Visit a Former Battlefield- You can visit former battlefields like St. Gettysburg in North Virginia or others along the East Coast to pay your respects.
  • Attend a Memorial Day Concert- Several networks broadcast memorial day concerts near the U.S. Capitol. You can tune into these concerts and honor the soldiers while enjoying the music.
  • Visit a Veteran’s Home- The best way to commemorate the American Army is by visiting Veterans’ homes. You can appreciate their service by asking about their military experience, listening to war stories and gifting them goodies like cookies and cakes.

LESSER KNOWN FACTS ABOUT MEMORIAL DAY

On account of Memorial Day, here’s a list of 5 things you might not know –

  • Though the first American memorial event was held in the late 19th century, the history of honoring the fallen soldiers has been around for thousands of years. The first-known tribute to soldiers sacrificed in the war was recorded in 431 BC.
  • General John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, observed the memorial day in May 1868.
  • Waterloo, New York, was declared as the official birthplace of memorial day in 1966.
  • It was announced as a federal holiday in 1971.
  • The tradition of wearing a red poppy was inspired by John McCrae’s poem- In Flanders Fields. The poem narrated the stories of soldiers who lost their lives in the battle and were buried beneath the poppy-covered grounds.
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