The exact beginning of the tradition of a day to remember
fallen soldiers is lost to history. It is known that on April 25, 1866 a
group of ladies in Columbus, Mississippi visited a cemetery to decorate
the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at the Battle
of Shiloh. The ladies, disturbed by the sight of the bare graves of fallen
Union soldiers, also placed followers on their graves as well, even though
they were considered the enemy.
But the origin of Memorial Day is not important. Memorial Day was
officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, National
Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and was first observed on 30
May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate
soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia.
The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York, which
did so in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states.
The South refused to acknowledge the day, and continued to honor the
Confederate dead on different dates through out the South. It was not
until after World War I that the south would acknowledge the holiday.
Following World War I the holiday was changed to recognize all war dead,
not just those that died while fighting in the Civil War. The Memorial Day
Holiday now celebrates and honors all those that died while fighting in
any of the wars in which they have been asked to serve.
It should be kept in mind that this holiday does not recognize any and all
veterans as many think, but it specifically honors those that have fallen
in the service of our country. Veterans Day, which is a totally separate
holiday, is celebrated to honor the memory of all veterans.
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a
ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it
is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring
the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
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