Memorial Day gives us a day off to honor and remember those who have died while serving the United States. For 54 years, it has been officially commemorated on the last Monday in May with ceremonies, parades and flag plantings in cemeteries.
Though for some the federal holiday, which falls on May 26 this year, also signals the unofficial start of summer, there’s much more to know and value about Memorial Day — from its origins to time-honored traditions.
Here are five facts from The Memorial Day Foundation:
- Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day to honor those who died preserving the Union in the Civil War. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, after Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially made the proclamation earlier that month. The name comes from the act of decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers.
- Memorial Day became a national holiday in June 1926 after a joint resolution by Congress that also was updated to honor all Americans who died fighting in wars.
- Waterloo, New York, was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in May 1966.
- Soldiers place small American flags at each gravestone at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on the Thursday before Memorial Day. They patrol 24 hours a day during Memorial Day weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.
- For nearly 25 years, the National Moment of Remembrance has encouraged Americans to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.
With cities and veterans’ organizations throughout South Florida planning special events, here’s a city-by-city roundup for Broward and Palm Beach counties. PLEASE NOTE: All events are scheduled for Monday, May 26.
BROWARD COUNTY
COCONUT CREEK…