The spirit of Memorial Day was born out of the tragedy and
patriotism surrounding the Civil War. There are variations on
the exact origin of this important holiday, and many cities in
the North and South claim to be its birthplace.
More than 620,000 men and women lost their lives during the Civil War.
Many soldiers were laid to rest in enemy territory, far from loving families
who could care for their graves and repair the ravages of nature. Thus,
their graves often fell victim to neglect.
It was this profoundly sad and disturbing sight that moved widows of
Confederate soldiers in Columbus, MS, to place flowers on the graves of
their husbands' former enemies on April 25, 1866. Their compassionate
act was one of the first to help lay the foundation for Memorial Day.
Similar ceremonies in other citiesamong them, Macon and Columbus,
GA, Richmond VA, Boalsburg, PA, and Carbondale, IL, as well as
approximately 25 other towns and communities throughout the
nationhave been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day.
In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson and Congress gave the ultimate
distinction to Waterloo, NY, which had conducted a formal and
community-wide ceremony on May 5, 1866 that closed businesses
across town and honored local soldiers and sailors who had fallen during
the Civil War.
The First Official Memorial Day
On May 5, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, Maj. Gen. John
A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an
organization of former Union soldiers and sailors, proclaimed May 30th
"Decoration Day" through his General Order No. 11.
General James Garfield spoke at the first Decoration Day, which was
observed on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, across the
Potomac River from Washington, D.C. After the speeches, about 5,000
observersincluding children from the Soldiers and Sailors Orphan
Home and members of the Grand Army of the Republicrecited prayers
and sang hymns as they walked through the cemetery, casting flowers on
many of the more than 20,000 graves of Union and Confederate
soldiers.
Thereafter, the northern states celebrated this day, while the southern
states observed a similar holiday on a different date until the turn of the
century, when many state legislatures passed proclamations designating
May 30 as "Memorial Day."
Today: An American Tradition
In 1971, Congress expanded the Memorial Day tradition to include all
soldiers who had died in service to the nation, and the last Monday in
May was officially designated as Memorial Daythe day of
remembrance we know today.
Memorial Day serves as a reminder to citizens across the country of the
ideals upon which this country is based. On this day, all Americans,
regardless of race, creed or ideology remember those who sacrificed
their lives to strengthen and preserve the invaluable gift of freedom.
Confederate Observances
Many Southern states honor the Confederate dead on various dates
throughout the year. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day
the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and
Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10,
Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee refers to that date as Confederate
Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19
and Virginia observes the last Monday in May as Confederate Memorial
Day.
Taps: A Song of Mourning and Tribute
"Taps," the slow and melancholy bugle call, originally served as a signal
that the day was over; however, it has since been adopted as a special
salute to those who have fallen. Major General Daniel Butterfield of the
Army of the Potomac composed "Taps" during the Peninsula Campaign
of the Civil War in 1862, with assistance from his bugler, Oliver W.
Norton. It is customarily played at funerals at Arlington National
Cemetery and at ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh. Falls the night.
"Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest. God is nigh.
"Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear. Friend, good night."
Information for this site was adapted from:
The Department of Veterans Affairs
The Memorial Day Homepage. |
