What is the origin of Memorial Day's name?

Answer 1

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery when the graves of those who had died during the US Civil War were decorated with flowers (red poppies in particular.) After World War I the holiday was expanded to honor all military personnel who had died during all wars in which the United States had been involved. The name Memorial Day became more frequently used to refer to the holiday. But it was not until 1967 that President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the legislation officially changing the name to Memorial Day.