Photo: Alamy
Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. Community pools open for the season. Patio furniture is hosed down. News of summer sales blast through the media. Across the country there are parades, backyard barbecues and picnics. But Memorial Day is so much more than hot dogs, beer and mattress sales.
The following are nine facts you may not know about how and why we observe Memorial Day.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.Find out how much you could save in a year with a membership.Learn more.
1. Originally known as Decoration Day
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was established on May 5, 1868, by Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. It was designated to fall on May 30, when flowers are in bloom. Fellow soldiers and family would decorate the graves of their comrades with flowers and flags. Some families would even hold picnics on the graves of their beloved ones. Today, most of us have parties in our backyards rather than at cemeteries, but the true meaning of this day cannot be forgotten.
2. The symbolism of the red poppy
In 1915, during World War I, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was overcome with sorrow when he saw red poppies blooming all over Europe. Seeing a cluster of poppies blanketing Flanders Field in Belgium inspired McCrae to write the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” This moving poem is written from the point of view of those buried beneath the soil. Overcome with emotion after reading McCrae’s poem, teacher and YMCA overseas secretary Moina Michael started the tradition of wearing a silk or paper poppy in honor of fallen American soldiers. Because of Moina, the red poppy became the symbol of remembrance in 1920. To this day, you can purchase a red poppy through various organizations. Your donation will help veterans programs throughout the nation.
3. Changes made after World War I
After WWI, Memorial Day was expanded to honor all soldiers who have died in American wars. In 1971, the date became known as Memorial Day. The holiday moved to the last Monday in May by the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which was passed to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. To this day, veterans groups are worried, rightfully so, that Americans associate the holiday with the first long weekend of summer and not for its intended purpose to honor the fallen soldiers.
4. Flags at half staff
Our nation’s flag is raised to half staff from sunrise until noon and then lifted to full staff to signify hope and to honor all our country’s war heroes.
5. The birthplace of Memorial Day
In 1966, President Johnson proclaimed Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day. But as so often happens, there is controversy over this matter. As many as 25 towns claim to be the birthplace; most are located in the South, where the majority of the war dead are buried.
