What is Decoration Day and How Did It Start?
Decoration Day is the original name for Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates and mourns military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Decoration Day originated in the aftermath of the American Civil War, which took more lives than any previous conflict in American history and necessitated the building of the country’s first national cemeteries.
One of the earliest examples of Decoration Day, according to some historians, was on May 1, 1865, when a group of freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina, organized a ceremony to remember Union troops who had perished in a Confederate prison camp. They laid flowers on their graves and sang hymns and patriotic songs. Similar gatherings were conducted in other cities across the country to honor the dead soldiers of the war, usually in late spring or early summer.
General John A. Logan, the chairman of a Northern Civil War veterans‘ organization, advocated for a national day of the memorial on May 30, 1868. He chose this date since it was not a battle anniversary and because flowers would be in blossom across the country. He declared it Decoration Day and asked Americans to decorate the war dead’s graves with flowers and flags. Also, He further stated that “we should guard their graves with sacred vigilance” and that “no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to future generations that we as a people have forgotten the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
How Did Decoration Day Evolve?
Decoration Day evolved into a popular and solemn custom in the United States, particularly in the North. Many states declared it an official holiday, and parades, speeches, and ceremonies were held to remember the Civil War dead. However, some Southern states refused to observe Decoration Day, instead holding their own Confederate Memorial Day on different dates.
After World War I, which resulted in over 100,000 US military deaths, the meaning and scope of Decoration Day shifted. The holiday was enlarged to include those who died in any battle or military action involving the United States, not just those who died in the Civil battle. After World War I, the name Memorial Day became more popular, though it was not officially adopted by federal law until 1967.
Another significant shift happened in 1968 when Congress approved the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which changed Memorial Day from its customary May 30 date to the last Monday in May beginning in 1971. The goal of this measure was to give government employees additional three-day weekends and to promote tourism and recreation. Some critics, however, claimed that this move diluted the significance of Memorial Day and reduced it to a mere day off from work.
How Do We Celebrate Memorial Day Today?
Despite these changes, Memorial Day in the United States remains a solemn and patriotic occasion. Many Americans still pay their respects at cemeteries and memorials to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Flags are also flown at half-staff until noon, and red poppies are worn as a gesture of remembering. The poppy ritual was inspired by a poem written during World War I by Canadian soldier John McCrae, which begins, “In Flanders fields, the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row.”
On Memorial Day, many Americans enjoy watching or participating in parades, attending concerts and festivals, having picnics and barbecues, and spending time with family and friends. The National Memorial Day Concert, which has been hosted on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol since 1989 and is televised live on PBS, is one of the most popular events. The program includes musical performances by a variety of performers as well as tributes to veterans and servicemen from many wars and conflicts.
But not all Americans observe Memorial Day in the same way. Some people prefer to observe it as a quiet and thoughtful day, while others regard it as a chance to have fun and relax. Some people also use it to advocate for peace and to condemn war. There is no correct or incorrect way to observe Memorial Day, as long as we remember its genuine purpose and respect those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Conclusion: Why Is Memorial Day Important?
Memorial Day is more than a holiday or a three-day weekend. It is a day set aside to remember and honor the courageous men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. They fought for our values, rights, safety, and future. They deserve our thanks and respect every day, not just on Memorial Day.
As we observe Memorial Day, let us remember the true cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who serve and their families. Let us also keep in mind that freedom is not free, and peace is not guaranteed. Let us all do our part to defend the principles for which our fallen heroes gave their lives and to make the world a better place for ourselves and future generations.
What are your plans for Memorial Day? What does it signify to you? Please share your ideas and stories in the comments section below.
Thank you for reading this blog post, and have a meaningful Memorial Day 2023!