In the United States, Memorial Day is a federal holiday. It was originally called Decoration Day.1)
It is a day of remembrance for US military members who have died while serving in the US armed services.2)
It takes place on the final Monday of May. From 1868 through 1970, it was observed on May 30.3)
On Memorial Day, many people visit graves and memorials to remember and grieve those who died while serving in the United States military. Many volunteers raise an American flag on service personnel's graves in national cemeteries.4)
In the United States, Memorial Day is often regarded the unofficial start of summer.5)
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared a “Decoration Day” in 1868, which was extensively observed.6)
By 1890, it had become a holiday in every Northern state.7)
Because of the World Wars, it became a generic day of remembering rather than simply for the Civil War.8)
In 1971, Congress renamed the holiday “Memorial Day” and moved it to the final Monday in May.9)
Two other days honor people who have served or are serving in the United States military. Armed Services Day (earlier in May), an unofficial United States holiday recognizing those now serving in the armed forces, and Veterans Day (November 11), which commemorates those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.10)
Memorial Day has a complicated history in the United States. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges that around 25 locations claim to be the originators of the holiday. 11)
There is a Center for Memorial Day Study at Columbus [Georgia] State University, and the University of Mississippi has a Center for Civil War Research that has also spearheaded research into the roots of Memorial Day.12)
It is an ancient habit to decorate soldiers' graves with flowers.13)
Before and during the American Civil War, soldiers' graves were adorned throughout the United States.14)
Many of the origin claims are unsubstantiated tales, while others are one-time cemetery dedications or funeral tributes. One scholarly endeavor in 2014 aimed to distinguish myths and one-time events from the activities that led to the creation of the official holiday.15)