edition #59
Since Friday is the beginning of a “long weekend” for the U S of A, I thought I’d do some research of the history behind the holiday —
All about Memorial Day in the United States. And then some…..
1] According to Yale University -the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.
2] The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter.
3] It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country.
4] Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials.
5] A national moment of remembrance [silence] takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time.
6] Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.
7] Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.
8] The alternative name of “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967.
9] On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington‘s Birthday (which evolved into Presidents’ Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971.
10] It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.
11] Traditionally, it’s also the day of the USA’s -One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.
12] Hawaii‘s Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, has repeatedly introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its traditional day since 1998.
13]
Also, I feel compelled to always be supportive of ALL USA’s troops!!
[this video above is soldiers and the song...."Mr. Lonely" by the singer of my generation, Bobby Vinton]
