On May 30th, 1868, Commander in Chief John A. Logan, of the grand Army of the Republic, issued what was called General Order Number 11, that designated May 30, as Memorial Day, also known as “Decoration Day”
He declared it to be “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit”.
The first national celebration of Memorial Day took place on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. The national observance of Memorial Day still takes place there today and it is honored by placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the decoration of each grave with a small American flag.
The federal law act called “Uniform Monday Holiday Act ” was signed into law on June 28, 1968 and took effect on January 1, 1971. This law established the observance of certain holidays to be on Mondays and this law changed the observance of Memorial Day to be on the last Monday in May and extended it to honor all those who died in American wars. People pay tribute not only with flowers but also with speeches and parades.
