Sunday, May 27, 2012

John Malveaux: 'Memorial Day was first observed in 1868 as Decoration Day'


Memorial Day
(Photo: www.USMemorialDay.org)

John Malveaux of
www.MusicUNTOLD.com sends this history of Memorial Day:

"Memorial Day was first observed in 1868 as Decoration Day, when the families of Civil War victims honored their war dead by decorating their graves. Over time, the holiday became known as Memorial Day – a day for us all to commemorate the valor and sacrifice of the men and women who have died in our nation’s service."

The website www.USMemorialDay.org tells us:


Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery." 

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