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There are several holidays that we love to celebrate in the summer. We can light up the barbeque, crack open some cold ones, and tell stories with our loved ones. We barely mention an actual holiday itself, and if we’re being honest, we probably don’t really know the meaning behind the holiday. The first of these outdoor worthy holidays that we celebrate is Memorial Day, which is the 28th of May.
Memorial Day marks the start of the summer months and holidays. Many people remember sitting around a table talking about family members and friends who have severed our country. When you were younger you pieced together that Memorial Day is about the military members who have served, but you may have gotten it confused with Veterans Day.
Memorial Day is an American holiday that is about honoring those who have died while serving this country. It’s not about anyone currently living and serving this country. It’s about those who have lost their lives in battle. The Civil War is started Memorial Day. Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1967 to honor those who lost their lives in the Civil War. When Memorial Day first started it was known as Decoration Day.
As time went on, America would face more war and loss of American lives. This inspired the change of names of the holiday. Memorial Day would become a holiday meant to commemorate all of the lives lost in every war. A popular tradition for the holiday is to mark the graves of those who served with flags.
Memorial Day used to always fall on May 30. However, in 1968 Congress passed a law, the Monday Holiday Act, that made it so Memorial Day is a federal holiday, and always on the last Monday in May. This act allows employees to have a three-day weekend and enjoy time with loved ones to honor those who have fallen.