The History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day honors service members who have died in military service to the nation.  The holiday has roots dating back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally place spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers.  On May 5, 1866, the town of Waterloo, NY, formalized this ritual and hosted a city-wide "Decoration Day," encouraging its citizens to create memorials on soldiers' graves with flags and flowers.  In 1868 Gen. John A. Logan declared that the first ever national Decoration Day should take place on May 30th to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War.  Over the next few decades the day transitioned from being called Decoration Day to its present Memorial Day.  In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May.