History of Memorial Day

May 31, 2010

Memorial Day Message l Operation Ward 57Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States. It is also a state holiday in many states. The holiday honors troops who have died in past wars like World War I. Memorial Day was first held in 1865 after the American Civil War. It was called Decoration Day at that time. The holiday was first called Memorial Day in 1882. It became a federal holiday in 1967. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress made a law that said that Memorial Day was to be observed by Federal Employees on the last Monday in May, this law only states this is the day Federal Employees will have a day off work. The official Memorial Day is May 30. Memorial Day is a movable day, similar to the day to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Birthday. Martin Luther King Jrs. birthday is January 15 although the celebration is on the third Monday in January. This law started in 1971. Before this, the holiday took place on May 30. Memorial Day is thought of by many Americans as being the start of Summer.

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