The day of remembrance or memorial Day in the US is a special national holiday. It is celebrated on the last Monday of may each year. Surely You know that this day is dedicated to those U.S. military personnel who died protecting and defending the interests of the country in all wars and military conflicts in which the United States ever participated. But not everyone knows the history of this holiday.
The memorial day originated after the Civil war and was originally dedicated only to the soldiers of the Confederate States who died during the war. Then the holiday had a different name — decoration Day (Decoration Day), because in this day it was customary to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. The memorial day holiday was named in 1866 year.
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The first memorial Day was officially celebrated in the small town of Waterloo (new York) 5 may 1866 . This city was not chosen by chance. Here was annually held a citywide cleanup on the graves of dead soldiers. This day was a public holiday, so the introduction of the holiday had no effect on city life. However, over time the holiday became very popular and even family.
5 may 1868 year, the holiday was proclaimed by General John Logan, commander of the Old Army of the Republic. It was observed may 30, 1868 by placing flowers on the grave of the Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington national cemetery.
In 1873 year, the holiday was officially recognized by the state of new York the first state, which became his mark.
With 1890 year, the holiday was recognized by all Northern States of the USA. The southern States refused to celebration, remembering loved ones who died in the war, on the other days.
After world war I, memorial Day began to commemorate soldiers killed in the battles in this war. But the celebration was still informal in most parts of the United States.
The Federal holiday of memorial Day was recognized only in 1971 year with the adoption of the relevant law — the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
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Today Day of memory of the Americans associated with the actual onset of summer. The weekend before memorial Day (and with the actual holiday weekend 3 days) decided to go with his family on a picnic, to travel and to conduct and participate in sports competitions, to organize charity events. But the Americans did not forget the origins of the holiday — on this day, they still decorate the graves and set them flags, remember the feats of American soldiers. However, various political groups have repeatedly brought to Congress a bill to establish a Day of remembrance official (not a floating date) because over time and with the receding of the events that led to the creation of the holiday, it is increasingly seen by a new generation only as part of a three-day weekend.
It should be noted that some States have additional days of commemoration of soldiers-confederates. For example, in Texas, is the 19th of January, Florida and Alabama on April 26 in South Carolina — may 10 Louisiana — June 3.
