For many, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. We enjoy barbecues, picnics, and pool parties. However, beyond a few American flags in decorations, we often forget this holiday’s origin and meaning.
Originally called Decoration Day, the holiday may have begun with Southern women’s decorating graves of fallen Civil War soldiers. In 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic encouraged the widespread celebration of Decoration Day on May 30. It did not become an official holiday until 1971, when Congress established the last Monday in May and designated it as Memorial Day.
