Memorial Day 101
Want a little history?
Memorial Day is a day to pay tribute to American soldiers who died defending our nation. Its history dates back to the American Civil War and included only soldiers fighting on American soil. The first celebration was called Decoration Day and took place on May 30, 1868. Many cities claimed to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, but President Lyndon Johnson in May of 1966 gave the bragging rites to Waterloo, NY.
Fast forward to the late 19th century, and the holiday became known as Memorial Day and expanded to include the deceased veterans of all the wars fought by American forces. Initially, the holiday was celebrated on May 30, regardless of the day of the week that it fell on. In 1968 it changed to its present calendar of the last Monday in May.
This photo is from the first Decoration Day (Memorial Day) celebration in May of 1868 in Brooklyn, NY. Today a visit to the cemetery to pay tribute is not uncommon.
“These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor - and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror. ”
Arlington National Cemetery always pays honor to those fallen throughout the years.
Washington DC has a parade every year and represents every branch of the Armed Forces.
How are you celebrating?
When I was a kid, my parents included a trip to the cemetery every Memorial Day. My dad was a Korean War vet, and the dedication to the armed forces was ingrained in us. We knew we would have to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation before the bar-b-que began. Today, most people enjoy the fact that they have the day off from work, but traditions still run deep for others.
After World War I, the American Legion asked worldwide to wear a paper red poppy the Friday before Memorial Day to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. This tradition began with a poem, In Flanders Field, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. It was about his time serving on the front lines, and the red poppy symbolized the bloodshed during the battles. The red poppy flourished in the fields of Europe after the war. The scientific thought is that the lime in the soil left by the rubble of the war was why they grew so profusely. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion and still thrives today.
Queen Elizabeth pays tribute by wearing the symbolic red poppy of the American Legion for Memorial Day
Check out our other posts on delicious food for the long weekend.
In Flanders Field link here.
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Photos by Google
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