The History of Memorial Day

What is Memorial Day?

Nowadays, we celebrate Memorial Day as a day off school, work, and whatever else we may have happening. While most people know that Memorial Day has to do with remembering fallen soldiers, those with relations to the military, whether it be friends or family, tend to have a deeper understanding of what it entails.

Memorial Day is a national federal holiday commemorating soldiers who have fallen in battle. Originally called Decorating Day, Memorial Day was started by small communities looking to honor the memory of their fallen loved ones. While the exact place and date that Memorial Day began varies, most agree that it started in cemeteries along the East Coast. The earliest recorded celebration of Memorial Day took place in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865, the same year Memorial Day was officially declared a holiday by Major General John A. Logan, the head of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Memorial Day was started by freed slaves looking to honor fallen soldiers, and then it grew into something bigger. Originally, Memorial Day was only meant to honor soldiers who died during the civil war, but after WWI, it expanded and became a holiday to celebrate all fallen soldiers. 

The official command given to the people to celebrate Memorial Day is “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.” This command was given by Major General John A. Logan.

So, now that you know what Memorial Day is, you can now call up some family or friends and visit a fallen loved one and do what you can in your community to help those that may struggle with having lost someone close to them during that time of the year. 

God Bless America!

Written by: Ellen Koenitzer

Edited by: Austin Nguyen – Mathias Munoz Gonzalez – Harrison Davies