Memorial Day in the United States is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, it had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.

Table of Contents

1. When is Memorial Day?
2. The History of Memorial Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The American Civil War

When is Memorial Day (USA)?

Memorial Day is a federal public holiday in the United States and it is observed on the last Monday of May. The following is the list of Memorial Day in the United States.

The History of Memorial Day (USA)?

The history of Memorial Day in the United States is deeply rooted in the nation's past, particularly in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began as a way to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War. The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and necessitated the establishment of the country's first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, many communities had started holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

The first widespread observance of Decoration Day is believed to have been on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. The holiday originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I, the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

For many years, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30. But in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. This change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday. Today, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all who have died in military service to the United States.

What  Do People Do on This Day?

On Memorial Day in the United States, people engage in various activities to honor and remember those who have died in military service. Here are five common ways to celebrate:

Participating in National Moment of Remembrance: The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Flying the Flag: It's common to see the U.S. flag displayed prominently on Memorial Day. The flag is traditionally raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains until noon. It's then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day.

Wearing Red Poppies: Inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," people wear red poppies on Memorial Day as a symbol of remembrance and honor for those who have died in wars.

Visiting Cemeteries and Memorials: Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly military ones, to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers. It's a tradition to decorate graves with American flags, flowers, and personal mementos.

Attending Parades: Many towns and cities hold Memorial Day parades that feature military personnel and veterans, as well as marching bands and other community organizations.

These activities are ways in which Americans express their gratitude and respect for those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of their country.

The American Civil War

The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was a defining event in the history of the United States. The primary cause of the Civil War was the contentious issue of slavery, particularly its expansion into newly formed states and territories. The Northern states, where slavery was largely prohibited, opposed its expansion, while the Southern states wanted to maintain and extend it.

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who was seen by the South as opposed to the expansion of slavery, triggered a secession crisis. Eleven Southern states seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina).

The Civil War included numerous key battles and campaigns. The Battle of Gettysburg was particularly significant as it represented a major turning point, halting the Confederacy's advance into the North. In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory. This executive order reframed the war's purpose as not only preserving the Union but also abolishing slavery.

The Civil War concluded with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865.

The end of the war ushered in the Reconstruction era, during which the Southern states were gradually reintegrated into the Union, and efforts were made to protect the legal rights of the newly freed African Americans. The American Civil War profoundly affected the American identity, shaping issues of race, equality, and federal authority that continue to influence the United States. It remains the deadliest military conflict in American history, with an estimated 620,000 soldier deaths and countless civilian casualties.