Memorial Day started after the Civil War to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who died. Women in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania and Vicksburg, Mississippi began decorating graves of soldiers in 1864-1865. By 1866, commemorations were held in many towns and Waterloo, New York was recognized as the first to organize a community-wide Memorial Day observance. Memorial Day is now a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May to honor all Americans who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

2. Memorial Day Facts
• It started with the Civil War
• Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which some
620,000 soldiers on both sides died. The loss of life and its effect on communities throughout the
North and South led to spontaneous commemorations of the dead:
• • In 1864, women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, put flowers on the graves of their dead from the
just-fought Battle of Gettysburg. The next year, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers
buried in a Vicksburg, Mississippi, cemetery.
• • In April 1866, women from Columbus, Mississippi, laid flowers on the graves of both Union and
Confederate soldiers. It was recognized at the time as an act of healing regional wounds. In the
same month, up in Carbondale, Illinois, 219 Civil War veterans marched through town in memory of
the fallen to Woodlawn Cemetery, where Union hero Maj. Gen. John A. Logan delivered the
principal address. The ceremony gave Carbondale its claim to the first organized, community-wide
Memorial Day observance.
• • Waterloo, New York., began holding an annual community service on May 5, 1866. Although
many towns claimed the title, it was Waterloo that won congressional recognition as the
"birthplace of Memorial Day."

3. Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of
May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the
United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American
Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the
20th century
Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. It typically
marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in
military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering
the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all
U.S. military veterans, living or dead.
Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday in the United States of America, usually celebrated on the
last Monday in May.
Memorial Day is a celebration of remembrance for the brave service of men and women who
gave their lives for their country.

4. Originally, Memorial Day honored those who had died in the Civil War. Now, it honors those who
died in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and
Desert Storm.
Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971. We now, designate this day to remember
loved ones who have passed on, as well as remembering our service men and women. Flowers
and flags are placed on graves in remembrance of them. Parades and dedications of memorials
usually are part of the day's activities. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, local marching bands, members of
the armed service, fire departments, police departments, and fraternal orders often march in
parades and attend ceremonies to commemorate the day.
Waterloo, N.Y. is considered the birthplace of this holiday because the people of Waterloo were
the first people to proclaim a day on May 5, 1866 to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil
War. They closed their businesses and placed flowers and flags on the graves of their soldiers.
Flags were flown at half-mast.

5. Major General John A. Logan declared May 30, 1868 as a special day for honoring Union soldiers
killed in battle. He was Commander in Chief of an organization of Union Civil War Veterans
called the Grand Army of the Republic. They took charge of Memorial Day celebrations in the
Northern States. The American Legion took over these duties after World War I.
The Southern States of Alabama and Mississippi observe the last Monday in April as Confederate
Memorial Day. Georgia observes April 26th, North and South Carolina observe May
10th, Virginia observes the last day of May. Louisiana and Tennessee observe June 3 and Texas
celebrates Confederate Heroes Day, January 19th.

7. MEMORIAL DAY
The Proud
Honor
courageous