Memorial Day is a federal holiday that is now celebrated on the last Monday in May. It was first called Decoration Day when begun in 1865 by former African slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. It was created to honor the Union soldiers who fought during the Civil War.
In New York, it started being celebrated the next year and was promoted nationwide in 1868. The current official name was given in 1967 and in 1971 it became an official federal holiday. This was when the day was altered from the original date of May 30th to the current one of the last Monday in the month of May.
From the time of World War I, the day began being used for honoring all Americans who died during wars, no only during the Civil War. Currently, it is also often used as a day to remember all loved ones who have passed on, rather than soldiers only. For example, many people go to visit graves on this day.
To honor the military people who have died in service, a lot of communities have parades and fireworks in celebration of the day. A moment of national remembrance takes place at 3 pm local time. The United States flag is flown at half-staff from dawn up until mid-day. On the lawn of the Capitol, there is a national memorial concert as well.
Despite these traditions, rather than a day of remembrance, Memorial Day is now thought of by many more as the beginning of the summer season. Some feel this is, at least in part, due to the changing of the traditional date. The long weekend now signifies the beginning of trips to the beach and barbecues. Many shopping sales also take place that weekend. And, since 1911, the Indianapolis 500 has been held on the Sunday before.
At this time, the school year ends for many. For people in states with colder climates, the temperature is just getting warm enough that the outdoors can really be enjoyed and swimming may be a possibility. Looking forward to those things has made Memorial Day a national holiday that is beloved, even if it isn't necessarily for the original reason.
In New York, it started being celebrated the next year and was promoted nationwide in 1868. The current official name was given in 1967 and in 1971 it became an official federal holiday. This was when the day was altered from the original date of May 30th to the current one of the last Monday in the month of May.
From the time of World War I, the day began being used for honoring all Americans who died during wars, no only during the Civil War. Currently, it is also often used as a day to remember all loved ones who have passed on, rather than soldiers only. For example, many people go to visit graves on this day.
To honor the military people who have died in service, a lot of communities have parades and fireworks in celebration of the day. A moment of national remembrance takes place at 3 pm local time. The United States flag is flown at half-staff from dawn up until mid-day. On the lawn of the Capitol, there is a national memorial concert as well.
Despite these traditions, rather than a day of remembrance, Memorial Day is now thought of by many more as the beginning of the summer season. Some feel this is, at least in part, due to the changing of the traditional date. The long weekend now signifies the beginning of trips to the beach and barbecues. Many shopping sales also take place that weekend. And, since 1911, the Indianapolis 500 has been held on the Sunday before.
At this time, the school year ends for many. For people in states with colder climates, the temperature is just getting warm enough that the outdoors can really be enjoyed and swimming may be a possibility. Looking forward to those things has made Memorial Day a national holiday that is beloved, even if it isn't necessarily for the original reason.
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