Happy Memorial Day weekend, friends!
Everyone loves holidays, no matter what the specific occasion. Memorial Day is no exception. Summer-time holidays like this usually involve some type of outdoor gathering with a guarantee of some over-indulgent eating! I personally look forward to that! I have to remember however, that Memorial Day, is not just about burgers and hot dogs.
Each year on the last Monday in May the United States celebrates Memorial Day. It was first known as Decoration Day, meant to honor the Union and the Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Later, after World War I, the memorial was amended to include all American soldiers who died. In 1967 it was legally named Memorial Day and became a federal holiday in 1971.
Memorial Day Facts
- Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. They may have chosen that date because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
- In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson named Waterloo, New York as the “birthplace” of Memorial Day.
- Memorial Day is sometimes confused with Veterans Day. The difference? Veterans Day honors all United States military veterans, while Memorial Day honors the soldiers who died while serving.
- The flag is supposed to be flown at half-mast until noon, and then raised to full mast until sunset on Memorial Day.
- After World War I the day was expanded to honor not only those who died in after Civil War but also those who died in all American wars.
- It’s common for volunteers to place the American flag on graves in the national cemeteries. On this day, many families also visit cemeteries to honor the fallen soldiers.
- Memorial Day also marks the beginning of the summer vacation season while Labor Day marks the end.
- The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day originated from John McCrae’s 1915 poem In Flanders Fields. (We have a similar poppy tradition in Jamaica, which happens in November of each year.)
- Parades are held across the country. The largest one being in the Nation’s Capital.
- Although not as popular today, one tradition was to eat a picnic meal while sitting on the ground of a cemetery. There are still some people in the rural areas of the South that continue to practice this tradition.
- President Clinton signed this act in 2000 which designates 3pm on Memorial Day as the “National Moment of Remembrance” to honor those who have died.
**Free Printable**
Memorial Day Fill-in-the-Blanks Fact Sheet
And more resources
- Memorial Day history
- Memorial Day video (4 mins) – (always pre-screen videos for kids)
- FREE Memorial Day Fill-in-The Blanks Fact Sheet
Having lived in the U.S. a little over a decade, and continue to learn more about this nation’s heritage, and the significance of holidays like this, I grow in my appreciation of it’s rich and varied history. Yes, the burgers and hot dogs are great, but honoring the memory of those no longer with us is far greater. If you’re getting together with family and friends, or visiting a national cemetery, whatever you do, enjoy your Memorial Day and find a way to give thanks by honoring those that have paid the ultimate price.
Happy Memorial Day 2016!
Interesting info…sparked a convo with Alex…obviously we both were ignorant of some important facts. Thank you, great teaching and learning opportunity.
Colesha, I was unaware of some facts as well prior to researching this topic! I had never heard of the “3pm Moment of Remembrance”. We’re going to honor that this year with a prayer and moment of silence. Oh, and you can give Alex the fact sheet as a test! Tell him it’s a gift from his “Aunt” Wendy. Lol.
Hi, Wendy! Thanks so much for sharing the Memorial Day facts. Pretty enlightening! Today, to honor Memorial Day, we will wear red, white, and blue and pray for the families who have lost loved ones in the military due to war. They really do pay the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy whatever peace we have as a country. They really do deserve to be remembered.
You’re welcome, Chanda. Agreed, they surely do deserve it. Enjoy your family time.
Awesome Wendy,
I read this in the car to my family after we left the National Harbor, enjoying the perfect overcast but warm day. We had a moment of silence in the car as we thought about our family members who have served and paid the price for freedom in this country. I’m thankful for their sacrifice and the ultimate one that Christ paid for us for the freedom from sin. Thank you for this moment with my family. Love, love, love what you do! Yasha says thanks too.
?
Noel, my heart is so warm thinking of you and your family and the precious moment the Lord allowed. It’s so great that we serve a God that you can talk to anytime, anywhere! Love you all.