Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day.
More than two dozen cities lay claim to being the site of the first Memorial Day commemoration.
Gen. John Logan officially proclaimed Memorial Day on May 5, 1868.
The first national commemoration took place on May 30, 1868, as flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., as the “birthplace” of Memorial Day, citing a ceremony held on May 5, 1866 to honor Civil War dead.
It is believed that the date was chosen because by May 30, flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
Inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field,” Moina Michael wrote a poem of her own, and came up with the idea of wearing red poppies in honor of Memorial Day.
Some Southern states have special observances specifically in honor of fallen Confederate soldiers, including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act to encourage people to give back to the country, as well as promote commemorations of Memorial Day.
The National Moment of Remembrance Act urges all Americans to pause, wherever they may be, at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence in honor of the country’s fallen heroes.
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
