Have you ever wondered about Memorial Day? What is Memorial Day? How did it begin? What is its history like?  Why do people celebrate this holiday? 

We wondered too. Here’s what we found:

Simply put, it is to honor those who died while serving in the military… but it is a little more complex than that.

Before Memorial Day came a holiday called Decoration Day. According to the History Channel, it was created after the Civil War as a way to honor those who had died in the war.

The idea came after General John A. Logan heard about a celebration in 1866, where many shops closed down and graves of fallen soldiers were decorated. This celebration took place in Waterloo, NY.

It was originally set to take place on May 30. On the first Decoration Day in 1868, many people gathered at the Arlington National Cemetery and decorated the graves of those who had fallen, both from the north and the south.

As the states began to declare it a holiday it began to take on different names, including Memorial Day. There was some debate as to which city came up with the name “Memorial Day.” This dispute was settled in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson and Congress, and was decided that the birthplace of Memorial Day was Waterloo, NY. 

What is Memorial Day like today? Instead of taking place on the 30th of every May, it now takes place on the last Monday every May. The ways in which people celebrate has changed over time as well.

While the holiday remains true to its roots of honoring the fallen, there are new ways people celebrate the occasion. Many people enjoy a three day weekend. Families get together, some may throw parties or barbecues or have picnics. People may gather with friends or use the day to kick off summer.

Some may even visit the graves of family members, or even decorate the graves of strangers if they choose. 

No matter how you may celebrate the holiday, make it a safe one. Enjoy the day off if you have one, and remember the true roots of the day.