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Politics and Activism

Interesting Things About Memorial Day

History behind the BBQ's, picnics, and lake days.

Grace Hincapie

May 31, 2016

Benedictine College

Here are some interesting facts about Memorial Day to share at the family BBQ!

*Memorial Day was was first observed on May 30, 1868.

*It was originally called Decoration Day, because soldiers would decorate the graves of their fallen.

*It's legally required to observe a National Moment of Remembrance. In 2000, Congress passed a law requiring Americans to pause at 3 P.M. local time on Memorial Day to remember & honor the fallen.

*The red poppy is a traditional symbol of Memorial Day (many veterans wear them to commemorate the day).

*The poppy was inspired by (World War I-era) John McCrae poem “In Flanders Fields”.

*The “though poppies grow in Flanders fields” in the poem is thought by some to refer to the blood stains from shallow graves where soldiers were buried.

*Memorial Day observance peaked in the first part of the 20th century, when aged Civil War veterans attended parades in towns across America.

*Memorial Day observances were at an all-time low in the 1960’s, then experienced a resurgence in the 1980’s.

*Waterloo, New York is considered the birthplace of Memorial Day.

*On the Thursday before Memorial Day, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They patrol the cemetery 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.

*This tradition, called “Flags In”, has been in place since 1948.

*In 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years. This coincided with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.

*Memorial Day traditionally marks the start of summer, while Labor Day traditionally marks the end.

*“Memorial Day” did not become the holiday’s official name until 1967, when federal law declared it.

*More than 36 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home this Memorial Day.

*In 1968, Memorial Day was moved from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May in order to ensure a three-day weekend.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone...and here's a little song by Lee Greenwood on our great nation!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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