Memorial Day is known to many as a day to head out on a road trip, host a barbecue, or take advantage of the numerous sales that you’ll see advertised everywhere. However, it’s so much more.
This holiday is this year on Monday, May 30. The holiday was created in the aftermath of the Civil War. Official federal holidays were established in 1971. Not to be confused with Veteran’s Day, which honors AllVeterans, Memorial Day is devoted to honoring veterans who have been killed or injured in combat.
#MemorialDay weekend 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CNa6MRmodM
— Sal LaBarbera (@Sal_LaBarbera) May 29, 2022
The origins of Memorial Day are murky, but it used to be known as “Decoration Day” because shortly after the Civil War ended, a tradition of decorating the graves of those soldiers who were killed in battle began.
“Why is it celebrated on the fourth Monday of May?” you may ask. The history reveals:
The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. It combined several federal holidays with three-day weekends to encourage travel and commerce. Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May every year since 1971, has been held on that date. Officially it is the start of the summer season.
Here’s a fun fact you might not know:
There are not any U.S. holidays. This is because each state has the power to choose their national holiday. The government cannot designate holidays except for employees of the federal government and the District of Columbia. But in reality, the Federal lead is almost always followed by states.
While many view Memorial Day as a chance to get a day off work, for many others it’s a day of solemnity and remembrance as they honor their lost loved ones.
There are some rituals that must be followed: On Memorial Day, the American flag should remain at half-staff. All citizens are invited to take a moment of silence for the National Moment of Remembrance, which will be held at 3:00 p.m. local time. This is per a bill that Congress passed in 1970.
Here are eight interesting facts about this holiday.
There have been many notable Memorial Day speeches over the years; we’ll quote from the very first, given by then-Congressman, veteran, and later president James A. Garfield in 1868 in front of a crowd of 5,000 at Arlington National Cemetery:
It is a feeling of oppression to feel the inpropriety of speaking on such an occasion. Silence is always golden. It must be there beside fifteen thousand men whose lives and deaths are more important than any speech.
Ronald Reagan, president of United States in 1982, reminded us all of the solemnity that surrounded the moment:
Today, his words remain true:
This is the sight of a good and strong nation, that keeps silent and thinks back to those who loved them and died for their country. Yet we must try to honor them—not for their sakes alone, but for our own. If words can’t repay this debt, then surely our actions will.
Many people also share their feelings about the holidays on the Internet. Here’s one from a gold-star sister that encapsulates their feelings:
Memorial Day to me is a day when we recall what it means for us to be heroes. Heroes are deeply rooted in those soldiers who we bid farewell to, leaving behind tear-soaked faces. And those whom we greet home with happier tears. Memorial Day allows us to remember those who were not able to return home or are now buried. We remember those soldiers who sacrificed everything to serve their country and for those they loved.
Enjoy your Monday, grab your burger, and then go to work. Just don’t forget why you are able to do so in freedom — it’s veterans who have kept this country safe on so many occasions. Take a moment at 3:00 PM on May 30th to remember those who have died in this way.
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