What is the meaning of Memorial Day?
Originally created in 1868 to honor fallen soldiers of the Civil War, Memorial Day has since expanded to honor all U.S. military personnel who have died in service.
Several events and ceremonies that take place during Memorial Day are intended to encourage people to reflect on the holiday's true meaning.
In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, which designates 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day as a time for prayer and reflection.
Memorial Day was officially established as a federal holiday in 1971, but the tradition of honoring fallen soldiers began over a century prior.
Originally deemed Decoration Day, the first Memorial Day event occurred on May 30, 1868.
John A. Logan, a politician and former U.S. Army general during the Civil War, advocated for the government to create a national day of remembrance for fallen Civil War soldiers.
The first Decoration Day ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. James A. Garfield, a future American president who was an Ohio congressman at the time, gave a speech to mark the occasion.
Since then, Arlington National Cemetery has hosted a remembrance ceremony every year on Memorial Day.
Fallen soldiers are honored with flags at their gravesites, and a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The U.S. president also traditionally gives a speech at Arlington's Memorial Amphitheater.
Today, Americans still attend Memorial Day parades and decorate the graves of fallen soldiers — just like they did on the very first iteration of the holiday.
