0
Memorial Day
Observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day honors US men and women who have died in military service. It is also the traditional start of the summer vacation season.
446 Questions
When did Memorial Day change to Monday?
Memorial Day was one of the holidays affected by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act enacted and signed into law on June 28, 1968. This Bill, reassigning certain holidays to a Monday to enable three-day weekends for federal employees, went into effect on January 1, 1971. Prior to 1971 Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was observed on May 30th of every year.
Why is the flag flown at half staff until noon on Memorial Day then raised to full staff?
On Memorial Day, the flag flies at half staff for only the first half of the day to honor the war dead. At noon it is raised to full staff to show that the nation lives.
By what name was Memorial Day originally known and whose General Order established the holiday?
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, after the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers to commemorate their service to the United States.
General John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, wrote the formal proclamation of Memorial Day on May 5, 1868 in his General Order No. 11, designating May 30 the annual day of remembrance. Memorial Day was first observed later that month, on May 30, 1868, when military personnel placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, near the nation's capital.
The order stated, in part:
"Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
Although General Logan was the first to officially order the observance, evidence suggests the custom may have actually begun in the South before the end of the Civil War, when women gathered to lay flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers.
Today Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May (regardless of date), and the flowers have been replaced by miniature replicas of the American flag.
You can view the entire text of General Order 11 by clicking the link in Related Links, below.
What does Memorial Day memorialize?
It commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted by former enslaved Africans to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War -- it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.
Why are Memorial Day services held before noon?
On Memorial Day the US Flag is lowered to half staff only until noon to honor the war dead of all US wars. The Flag is raised to full staff at noon to show that the nation lives. The US Flag is considered to be a living entity representing a living nation. This is stated in the US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10 § 176.
What state is the 500 mile car race held on each Memorial Day?
The Indianapolis 500 car race is held in Indianapolis, Indiana every Memorial Day.
What does Memorial Day and veterns day calibrate?
Memorial Day honors and remembers the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military, recognizing their sacrifices for the nation. Veterans Day, on the other hand, celebrates all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, acknowledging their contributions and sacrifices. Both holidays provide an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the service and dedication of those who have served in the military.
How will President Barack Obama observe Memorial Day 2010?
The president and his family decided to spend the long Memorial Day holiday weekend at their Chicago residence, where they hadn't been in more than a year.
The president was scheduled to return to the White House on Monday after paying respects to the nation's war dead during Memorial Day observances at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., south of Chicago. The ceremony was cancelled, however, because of stormy weather and lightning.
Some veterans groups criticized Obama for not attending the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Obama helped lay a wreath at Arlington for Memorial Day 2009, but Vice President Joe Biden attended the 2010 ceremony in the president's absence.
Houston Zoo is it free on Memorial Day?
The Zoo is no longer free on holidays. The Zoo offers free admission to guests on the first Tuesday of every month from 2 p.m. until closing.
What stores are opened on Memorial Day?
* In the US, pretty much all of them. It's a big "shopping holiday." * Most stores and major chains will be open on Memorial Day. Many have sales, taking advantage of the extra time people have off for their weekend to do extra shopping. If there is a particular store you want to know about, you should call them. Most stores which close will have a message on their phone answering system. But chances are pretty good that almost all of them are open.
What season is Memorial Day is in?
Spring, as it occurs on the last Monday in May. Since it is celebrated only in the USA, the event occurs only in the Northern hemisphere, meaning that it falls between the March equinox and the Northern Solstice in June.
Is Walmart pharmacy open on Memorial Day?
Generally, Walmart pharmacy is open on Memorial Day. In case it is closed at your local Walmart, it is best to call the store to be sure.
What is the origin of Memorial Day's name?
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.
Which state holds a 500 mile car race every Memorial Day?
It is the Indianapolis 500 in the state of Indiana.
How many years has it been since the first Memorial Day was celebrated?
Decoration Day (the original name for Memorial Day) was officially declared by General John Alexander Logan on May 1, 1868 and was first observed on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. The name Memorial Day was 1st used in 1882 and became the official name in 1967.
In 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill was passed which standardized the date of Memorial Day to the last Monday in May. This bill took effect on January 1, 1971.
Why didn't President Obama mention the veterans of the Korean War in his Memorial Day Speech?
I am a retired public school administrator and have been an active supporter of Mr. Obama; as a member of the the Korean War Association and Army veteran of the Korean Conflict(I was a 60 mm mortarman with C company, 9th Regiment, 2nd Division)I felt deeply disappointed when the President spoke of the world War 2 veterans,Vietnam veterans and veterans of the Iraq and Afganistan War, but nary a word about the multitude of casualties of the Korean War. Shame on him!
What is the the proper adjective for Memorial day?
Memorial Day is the proper adjective for Memorial Day, as in Memorial day ceremony or Memorial day dinner
In 1962 was there a Memorial Day weekend or was it celebrated on the one day Wednesday May 30?
In 1962 Memorial Day was still officially known as Decoration Day and it was observed on Wednesday, May 30. It was observed on May 30th every year from 1868 to 1971. The name of the holiday was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1966. Memorial Day did not become one of the Monday three-day holidays until the Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect on January 1, 1971.
