Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day and developed to honor the Civil War dead, is a day of remembrance for all those who have died in service of the United States of America.
In 1868, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan of the veterans group - Grand Army of the Republic, declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."
In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and to honor all those that died in all American wars and defending freedom.
To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
God Bless America!
