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[[File:MemorialDay.jpg|right|300px]]

[[File:MemorialDay.jpg|right|300px]]

'''Memorial Day''', previously called ''Decoration Day'', is a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving in the military of the [[United States]]. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of [[Congress]] and the date to observe the holiday was set as the last Monday in May.<ref>http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp#hist</ref><br />

'''Memorial Day''', previously called ''Decoration Day'', is a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving in the military of the [[United States]]. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of [[Congress]] and the date to observe the holiday was set as the last Monday in May.<ref>[https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp National Cemetery Administration. Memorial Day history]. At ''VA''</ref><br />

'''{{before on after|2020|05|25|Memorial Day will be next observed on May 25, 2020.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 25, 2020.|{{before on after|2021|05|31|Memorial Day will be next observed on May 31, 2021.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 31, 2021.|{{before on after|2022|05|30|Memorial Day will be next observed on May 30, 2022.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 31, 2022.|{{before on after|2023|05|29|Memorial Day will be next observed on May 29, 2023.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 29, 2023.| }}}}}}}}'''

'''{{before on after|2024|05|27|Memorial Day will next be observed on Monday, May 27, 2024.|Memorial Day is being observed today, May 27, 2024.|{{before on after|2025|05|26|Memorial Day will be next observed on Monday, May 26, 2025.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 26, 2025.|{{before on after|2026|05|25|Memorial Day will be next observed on Monday, May 25, 2026.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 25, 2026.|{{before on after|2027|05|31|Memorial Day will be next observed on Monday, May 31, 2027.|Memorial Day is observed today, May 31, 2027.| }}}}}}}}'''

{{cquote|'''Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It's a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It's a day to be with the family and remember.''' <small>-- Ronald Reagan</small>}}

{{cquote|Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It's a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It's a day to be with the family and remember. <small>-- Ronald Reagan</small>}}

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==Origins and practice==

==Origins and practice==

By 1865 the practice of decorating soldiers' graves had become widespread in the North. General [[John Logan]], National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic—the society of Union Army veterans—called for all GAR posts to celebrate a "Decoration Day" on May 30, 1868. There were events in 183 cemeteries in 27 states in 1868, and 336 in 1869. The northern states quickly adopted the holiday; Michigan made "Decoration Day" an official state holiday in 1871 and by 1890 every northern state followed suit. The ceremonies were sponsored by the Women's Relief Corps, with 100,000 members.

By 1865 the practice of decorating soldiers' graves had become widespread in the North. General [[John Logan]], National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic—the society of Union Army veterans—called for all GAR posts to celebrate a "Decoration Day" on May 30, 1868. There were events in 183 cemeteries in 27 states in 1868, and 336 in 1869. The northern states quickly adopted the holiday; Michigan made "Decoration Day" an official state holiday in 1871 and by 1890 every northern state followed suit. The ceremonies were sponsored by the Women's Relief Corps, with 100,000 members.

The preferred name gradually changed to "Memorial Day"; in 1971 the date was moved by Congress to the last Monday in May in order to ensure a three-day weekend.  It marks the start of summer, just as Labor Day marks the end.

The preferred name gradually changed to "Memorial Day"; in 1971 the date was moved by Congress to the last Monday in May in order to ensure a three-day weekend.  It marks the start of summer, just as Labor Day marks the end.

The large cities paid much less attention; their populations did not much remember the Civil War since they grew primarily from European immigration after 1865. Memorial Day was observed primarily by the towns and small cities of the North as a sacred day when the war dead are mourned, the spirit of redemptive sacrifice is extolled and pledges to American ideals are renewed.

The large cities paid much less attention; their populations did not much remember the Civil War since they grew primarily from European immigration after 1865. Memorial Day was observed primarily by the towns and small cities of the North as a sacred day when the war dead are mourned, the spirit of redemptive sacrifice is extolled and pledges to American ideals are renewed.

The golden era of Memorial Day was the early 20th century, when aged veterans of the Civil War (who had been born about 1840) paraded through small towns and villages in a day of remembrance. Northern celebrations often included both black and white participants. Memorial Day and other celebratory events attended by black and white veterans frequently pointed to emancipation as a worthy result of the war.  

The golden era of Memorial Day was the early 20th century, when aged veterans of the Civil War (who had been born about 1840) paraded through small towns and villages in a day of remembrance. Northern celebrations often included both black and white participants. Memorial Day and other celebratory events attended by black and white veterans frequently pointed to emancipation as a worthy result of the war.  

===South===

===South===

African Americans had their own separate Memorial Days, beginning with a major celebration on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. It was the nation's first Memorial Day.

African Americans had their own separate Memorial Days, beginning with a major celebration on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, [[South Carolina]]. It was the nation's first Memorial Day.

Beginning in 1866 the Southern states had their own Memorial Day, ranging from April 26 to mid June. The birthday of Confederate President [[Jefferson Davis]], June 3, became a state holiday in 10 states by 1916.

Beginning in 1866 the Southern states had their own Memorial Day, ranging from April 26 to mid June. The birthday of Confederate President [[Jefferson Davis]], June 3, became a state holiday in 10 states by 1916.

:Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.  

:Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.  

== Ronald Reagan Speaks Of Memorial Day ==

== [[Ronald Reagan]] Speaks Of Memorial Day ==

[[File:Reagan large 4.jpg|right|200px]]

[[File:Reagan large 4.jpg|right|200px]]

''Remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 1986:''

''Remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 1986:''

Thank all of you, and God bless you, and have a day full of memories.'''<ref>[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/regan-052686.htm Reagan remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 1986]</ref>}}

Thank all of you, and God bless you, and have a day full of memories.'''<ref>[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/regan-052686.htm Reagan remarks at a Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 1986]</ref>}}

== What The Veteran Has Given Us ==

== What The Veteran Has Given Us ==

[[Category:Observances]]

[[Category:Observances]]

[[Category:Military]]

[[Category:Military]]

[[Category:War]]

[[Category:War]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:Military Glossary]]

[[Category:Military Glossary]]