Versions of memorial day or decoration day as early as 1866.
Decoration day may 30. The holiday is now observed on the last monday of may having been observed on may 30 from 1868 to 1970. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on memorial day to honor and. Gradually the memorial day designation took hold. When decoration day became a federal holiday in 1868 getting the flowers to decorate the graves in the northern states presented a problem so the federal government moved it to may 30 so that.
Originally known as decoration day at the turn of the century it was designated as memorial day. Shortly thereafter some americans including high officials in the u s. On may 30 1911 ray harroun drives his single seater marmon wasp to victory in the inaugural indianapolis 500 now one of the world s most famous motor racing competitions. In every session of congress beginning in 1987 until his death in 2012 he introduced bills to move memorial day back to may 30.
Government began to refer to it as memorial day. Congress further left its mark when the holiday was no longer referred to as decoration day. The first national celebration of the holiday took place may 30 1868 at arlington national cemetery where both confederate and union soldiers were buried. You may not know.
On may 30 1868 a crowd of more than 5 000 gathered at arlington national cemetery for the first decoration day now known as memorial day exercises. Memorial day previously but now seldom called decoration day is a federal holiday in the united states for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died while serving in the united states armed forces. On may 30 just as logan had ordered the first decoration day now more commonly known as memorial day took place at arlington cemetery. In many american towns the day is celebrated with a parade.
The first national commemoration of memorial day was held in arlington national cemetery on may 30. The first national celebration of decoration day took place may 30 1868 at arlington national cemetery where both confederate and union soldiers were buried.