In 1864, a group of women
in Pennsylvania began visiting the graves of the deceased soldiers from the
Civil War, placing flowers on them in memory of their service. In 1866, after
word spread about visiting and decorating the graves, women in Mississippi
began doing the same thing. This is one story of how the day became known first
as 'Decoration Day', later changed to Memorial Day. On May 5, 1868, General John
Logan made the day official. Flowers were placed on the graves of both Union
and Confederate soldiers at the Arlington
National Cemetery. After World War II, it became a day to honor all
deceased veterans of any war or service instead of just those who had died in
the Civil War. It never became a national holiday, as some think it to be.
Rather, it became a Federal holiday to allow Civil War veterans the opportunity
to help decorate graves at cemeteries without losing any pay.
No matter what you do on Memorial Day with
your family or friends, take some time to remember the true meaning of the holiday:
to honor the deceased veterans who have served our country and fought for our
freedoms.
Without
their sacrifices, we wouldn't be the great country we are today!
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