Memorial Day means many different things to many different people. To some, sadly, it is just a Monday off of work. To others, it’s a day off of work when banks, post offices, and other Federal offices are closed for business. And for some it signifies the unofficial beginning of summer when pools open and other “summer time” businesses like ice cream stands kick into full swing. In fact, Memorial Day is all of these things. However, it signifies something way more important.
First and foremost, Memorial Day is a day for all of us to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we, as Americans, can enjoy the freedoms of our nation. We are free to enjoy that grilled hot dog or hamburger with our families at our Memorial Day Picnic because of those who gave their lives on the field of battle. Their sacrifice should never be forgotten.
Many towns and cities across the U.S. claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, but only Waterloo N.Y. is officially recognized by the U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 as the true birthplace. Memorial Day actually started shortly after the Civil War as a means of recognizing dead soldiers for their sacrifice.
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and was proclaimed to be on May 30, 1868.
All of the Northern states involved the Civil War officially recognized Decoration Day by 1890. Unfortunately, Southern states refused to acknowledge Decoration Day until shortly after WWI, when it was changed slightly from recognizing only Civil War soldiers to recognizing all who died fighting in any war. Today, it is recognized in nearly every state as Memorial Day occurring the last Monday in May. This was etched in stone by the National Holiday Act of 1971 making it a 3 day weekend.
Southern states still cling to the idea of having a separate day altogether for recognizing the Confederate Civil War Dead. In December of 2000, a National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed which calls for all Americans to pause and reflect in their own way upon those who gave all for the freedoms that we all enjoy by having a moment of silence or listening to “Taps” at 3 p.m. This seems like the very least we could do to recognize those who gave everything so that we can enjoy our lives in this great country.
