What was the first Decoration Day?
May 30, 1868 (United States)Memorial Day / Date of first occurrence
In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national holiday, to be observed the last Monday in May. On May 30, 1868, a crowd of more than 5,000 gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for the first Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day) exercises.
How did Decoration Day start?
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.
When did they start calling Decoration Day Memorial Day?
National Decoration Day On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan issued a proclamation calling for “Decoration Day” to be observed annually and nationwide; he was commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), an organization of and for Union Civil War veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois.
Who made a speech on the first Decoration Day and where was the speech given?
The following is the beginning of the speech given by General James A. Garfield in Arlington Cemetery for the first National Decoration Day. Private William Henry Christman enlisted on March 25, 1864 at the age of 20.
Who wrote Decoration Day?
Isbell wrote the song just three days after joining the band while touring in support of Southern Rock Opera.
What was the purpose of Decoration Day?
Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country.
Why is it called Decoration Day?
By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance is held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.
Why did Decoration Day change to Memorial Day?
Each of the former Union states had adopted a Decoration Day by 1890. As time went on, “Memorial Day” began to supplant “Decoration Day” as the name of the holiday, and it soon became a day to honor all fallen American troops, not just those from the Civil War.
Why did they call it Decoration Day?
To honor the deceased, soldiers would decorate graves of their fallen comrades with flowers, flags and wreaths. Hence Decoration Day. Although Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s, the holiday wouldn’t legally become Memorial Day until 1967.
Why was Decoration Day changed to Memorial Day?
Is Decoration Day Based on a true story?
It turns out “Decoration Day” is about one of those families and that it is an entirely true and interesting story that gives us a glimpse into the rural South in the early 1980s. The setting of the song is around Florence Alabama in Lauderdale County.
What is the meaning of Decoration Day?
Why was Memorial Day originally called Decoration Day?
The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.
Where was the first Decoration Day?
The first national celebration of the holiday took place May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried. Originally known as Decoration Day, at the turn of the century it was designated as Memorial Day. In many American towns, the day is celebrated with a parade.
When did Decoration Day change its name?
1967
And after World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all American war fatalities. Congress recognized Decoration Day as a federal holiday in 1938, and the name “Memorial Day” became more commonplace after World War II. But the federal government didn’t officially adopt that name until 1967.
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Decoration Day?
What is the history of Decoration Day?
First Official National Decoration Day Decoration Day dates back to the 1860s, when local groups from the North and South would lay flowers on the graves of the Civil War soldiers that fell in battle. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), an organization of Union veterans, officially established Decoration Day in 1868.
How are the civil war dead honored on Decoration Day?
Civil War dead honored on Decoration Day. By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance is held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves…
What is Decoration Day at Arlington Cemetery?
On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried in the cemetery.
Is there a book on the history of Memorial Day?
Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory by David W. Blight (Harvard University Press, 2002) offers a full chapter on the history of Memorial Day. Here is the publisher’s description of the book, which also helps to explain why the Memorial Day story shared in this article has been hidden from public memory: