Today is declared as the national holiday to remember what many soldiers have given up to protect the citizens and freedoms of this country. Memorial Day found its beginnings long ago, dating back to shortly after the Civil War when women in the South decorated departed soldiers’ graves. It was for this reason that this memorial celebration was first proclaimed Decoration Day; however, it is nearly impossible to link today’s Memorial Day with such historical information. Memorial Day also has roots as far back as 1868 when General John Logan gave orders that May 30th would be celebrated in the memory of deceased soldiers.
It is most likely that this holiday came into existence because many cities celebrated some sort of local holiday in memory of fallen soldiers. Despite this fact, President Lyndon Johnson officially declared the birthplace of our current Memorial Day as the city of Waterloo, New York in May 1966.
We currently celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday of every May. Today we take the time to remember those who have gone before us, and to know that at this time they are thinking of us as well. This is the one day of the year in which we honor those brave ones who have given up so much to protect all of us here today; and not to forget those who are presently protecting our freedoms. Let us honor them with pride and patriotism; love and adoration.
(Source: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html)
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