After the American Civil War, in 1866, Southern women grieving the loss of a large population of their husbands, brothers, and sons, decided to decorate the graves of the fallen Union and Confederate soldiers. Decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers became a popular tradition. It then became a national organized event known as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, by the Grand Army of the Republic. On the first official Decoration Day in Arlington National Cemetery, General James A. Garfield addressed the crowd about the importance of paying tribute to the fallen soldiers.
At the start of the 20th century, Decoration Day became a day to honor all military men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, not just those who died in the Civil War. This is when people started calling the day Memorial Day. Finally on June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved Memorial Day to the third Monday of May. This change went into effect in 1971.
In 1950, a resolution was approved by the House and Senate. President Truman was asked by Congress to issue a proclamation called “Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day.” This states that people of the United States observe Memorial Day as “a day of prayer for permanent peace.” This Memorial Day let us remember the men and women who were dedicated to protecting our country’s freedom. These brave soldiers were willing to serve something other than themselves. Let us reflect on their sacrifices so we can live the way we do today. Remember them on Memorial Day as “a day of prayer for permanent peace”. Watch these videos as a tribute and a reminder that our freedom isn’t free. Click HERE and HERE.
