Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday
of May (May 28 in 2012).
Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the
American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil...
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Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday
of May (May 28 in 2012).
Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the
American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.
(Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate
graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own
date.
Most dates were in May.
) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to
honor all Americans who have died in all wars.
Memorial Day is a day of remembering
the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
As a
marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day
marks its end.
The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to
"Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882.
It did not become more common until
after World War II, and was not declared the official
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