In the United States, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. Approximately 620,000 men died in the war between the states. Decoration Day in the United States officially started after the U.S. Civil war of April 12, 1861 - April 9, 1865. It started with local groups after the war.
In 1866, the state of New York began their official observance on May 5. New York suffered the largest casualty count with around 39,000 deaths during the war.
In 1868, the first national recognition of decoration day was observed on May 30. This was the result of efforts by veteran groups of former union soldiers.
The practice of remembering loved ones lost in the war was already being done in the American South, even before the end of the war in 1865. This typically involved a visit to the cemetery and the decorating of loved ones graves.
In 1971, the U.S. Congress changed memorial day from May 30 to the last Monday in May. This created the three day weekend Americans now know and enjoy.
In 1972, Time magazine noted that Memorial Day had devolved into "a three-day nationwide hootenanny that seems to have lost much of its original purpose".
For those of us in the United States, this should be a special weekend. It's a time when we should take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by the many men and women in service to their neighbors, fellow citizens, and country.
It shouldn't go without saying, "All gave some, but some gave all" and the price of freedom comes at a steep price. Every year on Memorial Day we remember those who paid the ultimate price.
#freedom #sacrifice #honor #veterans
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