Table of Contents
What was the original date of Memorial Day?
May 30, 1868
The first national celebration of the holiday took place May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried. Originally known as Decoration Day, at the turn of the century it was designated as Memorial Day. In many American towns, the day is celebrated with a parade.
Was Memorial Day originally May 31?
Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.
When was Memorial Day started and by whom?
General John A. Logan commented on the observances in a speech to veterans on July 4, 1866, in Salem, Illinois. After General Logan’s General Order No. 11 to the Grand Army of the Republic to observe May 30, 1868, the earlier version of the holiday began to be referred to as Confederate Memorial Day.
Can I say Happy Memorial Day?
While some consider pairing the word happy with Memorial Day to be inappropriate, others see it as a perfectly acceptable greeting. Despite joy being at the root of the word happy, Thesaurus.com noted that using the word happy could also be a way for a person to express gratitude.
When did memorail day originate?
In a formal sense, the modern Memorial Day originated with an order issued in 1868 by Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, the commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, for the annual decoration of war graves:
When did Memorial Day change to Monday?
On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act , which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May.
When do we celebrate Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is celebrated every year on the last Monday in May. Having a day to honor the soldiers who lost their lives started after the Civil War (1861-1865). The original name was Decoration Day.
When was Memorial Day first declared?
Memorial Day became an official holiday in 1868. Union war hero General John A. Logan organized the first Memorial Day and designated May 30, 1868, as the first official celebration.