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Memorial Day: Honoring Our Veterans
How Memorial Day began, what its flags, parades and poppies mean, and how Americans honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and honor. It is a day to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in service to our country — and to remember the families who lost loved ones in that service.
It is also a time to reflect on the courage and dedication of everyone who has served, and to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice.
The short version
- Memorial Day is a federal holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, that honors those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- It began after the Civil War as Decoration Day. On May 30, 1868, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
- After World War I it grew to honor Americans who died in any war or military action. In 1971 it was declared a federal holiday and moved to the last Monday in May.
- Flags at half-staff, parades and the poppy are its best-known symbols.
- It is also a day to remember military families, thank veterans and those still serving, and reflect on the cost of war and the importance of peace.
How Memorial Day Began
Memorial Day has its roots in the American Civil War. On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic — an organization for Northern Civil War veterans — called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. He designated May 30 as a day for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers and flags. It was known as Decoration Day.
The first Decoration Day was held on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Towns and cities across the country observed the day in their own ways, with ceremonies and parades.
In the years after the Civil War, states observed Decoration Day on different dates. It was not until after World War I that the holiday expanded to honor all Americans who had died in any war or military action. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday and officially moved to the last Monday in May.
What the Day Means
Memorial Day is a day of solemn reflection. Americans come together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and its values, and to honor their memory. It is a day to reflect on the cost of freedom.
The day reaches beyond the fallen, too:
- Their families. The families and loved ones of those who served have made tremendous sacrifices of their own in support of the people they love.
- Our veterans. It is a time to recognize the contributions veterans make to our society, to thank them for their service, and to remember the importance of supporting veterans and their families, both during and after their service.
- Those still serving. Memorial Day is also a moment to recognize the courage and dedication of the men and women who serve in the military today, and to thank them.
Above all, it is a day to reflect on the cost of war and the importance of peace. It is a reminder that freedom is not free, and that we must always be vigilant in protecting our nation and its values.
Flags, Parades and Poppies
The symbols of Memorial Day are deeply rooted in American culture and history.
Flags at half-staff
Flags are a powerful symbol of patriotism and national pride. On Memorial Day they are flown at half-staff until noon, a sign of respect and remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Flags are also carried in parades and ceremonies to honor the fallen.
Parades
Parades are a traditional part of the day and another way to honor those who died in service to their country. They typically feature marching bands, military units and floats, often accompanied by patriotic music and speeches.
The poppy
The poppy is a flower that grows in fields of battle-scarred land. It has become a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who died in service to their country, and many people wear one on Memorial Day as a sign of remembrance and respect.
How Americans Honor the Day Today
The tradition that began with Decoration Day continues: families and friends still gather to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. Across the country, people mark Memorial Day by:
- attending parades and ceremonies in their towns and cities
- visiting cemeteries, memorial parks and memorials to pay their respects
- taking part in community service projects
- volunteering at veterans’ hospitals
Never Forget
Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor the brave men and women who served our country, to reflect on the sacrifices they made, and to thank them for their service. We owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans and their families for their courage and dedication.
Let us never forget their courage and their sacrifice.
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