Changes

The Memorial Day speech became an occasion for veterans, politicians and ministers to commemorate the war--and at first to rehearse the atrocities of the enemy.  They mixed religion and celebratory nationalism and provided a means for the people to make sense of their history in terms of sacrifice for a better nation, one closer to God. People of all religious beliefs joined together, and the point was often made that the Germans and Irish soldiers had become true Americans in the "baptism of blood" on the battlefield.  By the end of the 1870s the rancor was gone and the speeches praised the brave soldiers both Blue and Gray.  By the 1950s, the theme was American exceptionalism and duty to uphold freedom in the world.

The Memorial Day speech became an occasion for veterans, politicians and ministers to commemorate the war--and at first to rehearse the atrocities of the enemy.  They mixed religion and celebratory nationalism and provided a means for the people to make sense of their history in terms of sacrifice for a better nation, one closer to God. People of all religious beliefs joined together, and the point was often made that the Germans and Irish soldiers had become true Americans in the "baptism of blood" on the battlefield.  By the end of the 1870s the rancor was gone and the speeches praised the brave soldiers both Blue and Gray.  By the 1950s, the theme was American exceptionalism and duty to uphold freedom in the world.

The preferred name gradually 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.   

The preferred name gradually 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.