Remember our Veterans- Memorial Day

Rattlesnake Gal · 05-20-2010, 10:57 AM

Remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day

It was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan - the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and was first observed on May 30, 1868.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.

By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died fighting in any war.

It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May. It was passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

05-20-2010, 10:57 AM	#2
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	I Agree! Remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day It was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan - the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and was first observed on May 30, 1868. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died fighting in any war. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May. It was passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971.