The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the place of origin because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter.
Waterloo, New York was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) by President Lyndon Banes Johnson in May 1966.
Waterloo, New York was declared as the birthplace of Memorial Day in Presidential Proclamation 3727 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 26, 1966. Waterloo was also declared as such by House Concurrent Resolution 587 of the Eighty-ninth Congress.
Waterloo, New York was declared as the birthplace of Memorial Day in Presidential Proclamation 3727 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 26, 1966. Waterloo was also declared as such by House Concurrent Resolution 587 of the Eighty-ninth Congress.
Waterloo, New York was declared as the birthplace of Memorial Day in Presidential Proclamation 3727 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 26, 1966. Waterloo was also declared as such by House Concurrent Resolution 587 of the Eighty-ninth Congress.
There are many places that claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day.) And there are many dates as well. But it was in May 1966 that President Lyndon Baines Johnson officially proclaimed Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the "birthplace" of Memorial Day. However on May 5, 1868 General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed Decoration Day (the original name of Memorial Day.) It was first observed on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia when the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers.
Waterloo NY, 1866
In May 1966 President Lyndon Baines Johnson officially declared Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day. General John Alexander Logan, a US Civil War general and national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (a fraternal organization of veterans), officially proclaimed Decoration Day on May 5, 1868. It was first observed on May 30,1868 at Arlington National Cemetery when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. New York was the first state to recognize the holiday in 1873. After World War I Decoration Day was expanded to honor those killed in all wars in which the United States was involved. The name Memorial Day became the more commonly used name for the holiday but it was not until 1967 that Decoration Day was officially renamed to Memorial Day by federal law.
new york city
Waterloo, New York.
In May 1966 President Lyndon Baines Johnson officially declared Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day. General John Alexander Logan, a US Civil War general and national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (a fraternal organization of veterans), officially proclaimed Decoration Day on May 5, 1868. It was first observed on May 30,1868 at Arlington National Cemetery when flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. New York was the first state to recognize the holiday in 1873. After World War I Decoration Day was expanded to honor those killed in all wars in which the United States was involved. The name Memorial Day became the more commonly used name for the holiday but it was not until 1967 that Decoration Day was officially renamed to Memorial Day by federal law.
Memorial Day began 150 years ago when druggist Henry C. Welles said that it was sad that the civil war soldiers who died were forgotten. The first Memorial Day ceremony took place in Waterloo NY in 1886.