Week of May 29 – Memorial Day Facts

Memorial day was first celebrated on May 30, 1868. It was observed by placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers during the first national celebration.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who have died serving our country

General John Alexander Logan ordered the Memorial Day holiday to be observed by decorating the war dead.

On Memorial Day, the flag should be at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.

Red Poppies are recognized as the Memorial Day flower.

“Taps” is often played at ceremonies on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was first called “Decoration Day” because of the practice of decorating soldier’s graves with flowers.

New York was the 1st state to officially recognize Memorial Day.

Flowers and flags are the two most popular items people use to remember soldiers.

The South refused to honor the dead on Memorial Day until after World War I when the meaning of Memorial Day changed from honoring civil war dead to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday in 1971.

When you see a person who serves (or served) in the military, thank them for their service to our country.