Memorial Day in the U.S. has its roots in the aftermath of the Civil War. It was originally called Decoration Day.

First Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans’ organization, encouraged people to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. The date was chosen because spring flowers would be in bloom across the country.

Over the years, the holiday expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in service, especially after World War I.

Congress Gets in The Act

In 1971, Congress officially recognized Memorial Day as a national holiday, moving its observance to the last Monday in May to create a long weekend.

Birthplace of Memorial Day

Many cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, but in 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, as its official origin. Today, Americans observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries, holding parades, and participating in ceremonies to honor fallen service members. It also marks the unofficial start of summer in the U.S.