What is Memorial Day and why is it a holiday?

Memorial Day has changed a lot over the years.

Let's connect the dots.

Originally known as decoration day, the ceremony came around soon after the civil war to honor those killed while serving.

Americans would decorate their graves with flowers and recite prayers. It initially honored only those killed in the Civil War, but during WWI, the holiday evolved to honor those killed in all wars.

[msdesiraecannonministerfor]

This year, 2024, for Memorial Day ?

[tha-wah-rahhkahtahthah]

That has.nothing to do with my people the 12 tribes

[johnshaw]

As a national federal holiday, memorial day was established in legislation by the Grand Army of the Republic. The GAR were union veterans of the army, navy, marines and cutter service. With 409, 000 members at the zenith of power, they passed laws providing pensions for widows and orphans. They built soldiers' and sailors' homes. They began pensions for veterans and started disability benefits. The Gettysburg Monumental Association was run by the GAR. Five US presidents were members of the GAR. More.



My grandfather's uncle, General John Peter Shindel Gobin of Pennsylvania, was United States commander in chief of the GAR. He was a lawyer who entered the civil war as a lieutenant. He fought his way up through the ranks, and mustered out after four years of war as brigadier general. He was president of the state senate, lieutenant governor, and major general commanding the Pensylvanisa National Guard.