Memorial Day Information

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Memorial Day is observed in the United States of America in commemoration of the men and women who have laid down their lives serving their nation. Formerly known as the Decoration Day, it is observed on the last Monday of May every year. It is more than a three-day weekend and also signals the beginning of summer. The day is meant to remember and honor all those people who died in any war or military action in the U.S.

The day was first observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of the soldiers who had died fighting in the Civil War. It was proclaimed by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5 of that year. The people had then made wreaths, crosses and bouquets for each veteran’s grave. They had decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who had been buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. The flags had been flying at half mast and the village had been decorated.

Before it had been officially proclaimed, such observations had already taken place across America after the Civil War. People had been decorating the graves of the dead soldiers in remembrance of their sacrifices. There had been gatherings at various places where people had honored the soldiers. As such many cities claim to have been the first to observe the day. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of the observation because the village had been the first to observe it on May 5, 1866 and continues to do so.

President Richard Nixon declared the Memorial Day as a national holiday in 1971, meant to be observed on the last Monday of May. This year the day is to be observed on May 26. On this day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs of the soldiers while members of the armed forces shoot a rifle salute in the air. There are Church services and visits to the cemeteries where people lay wreaths on the graves.

The importance of the day has diminished in some years with the people taking it to be just another holiday when they get time to relax. The meaning and tradition of the day has lost its importance as people rarely take time out to honor the dead soldiers. In fact, many cities hardly hold Memorial Day parades and at most cemeteries the graves of the soldiers lie neglected.

The Memorial Day is not just a holiday for the American people. It is the time to acknowledge the sacrifices that men and women made in service to their nation. It is also the time to express thankfulness towards those soldiers for giving the people of United States a safe and secure place to live. It is not about division or differences, but about reconciliation and coming together of the people to salute and honor those who sacrificed all. People should realize the importance of the day as it is not just a day that honors the soldiers of the American Army but also gives an opportunity for personal remembrance.

This day also gives us the opportunity to host parties and spend time with family and friends. Invites are sent and parties are hosted, you can also plan a party this memorial day. So pick up some invitations from sites like:

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