While Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer, the main purpose is to honor our fallen soldiers. It’s the only holiday where you don’t wish someone a “happy” one as it’s meant to be a reverent marking of the deaths of those who keep our country safe.
Descending from Decoration Day this day was dedicated in 1868, to honor the fallen from the civil war.
Because their "Decoration Day" celebration was more formal and community-wide, then President Johnson and Congress declared Waterloo, N.Y. is the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo businesses closed for the day and headstones were decorated with flags and flowers. Even still other cities, including Richmond, VA and Macon, GA consider themselves the official birthplace city.
To make things a bit relaxing, Congress chose to observe Memorial Day on the last Monday in May so that we could all have a 3 day weekend. That is, unless you work in the service industry. Memorial Day took effect in 1971.
Not everyone knows this but in the year 2000 we were encouraged to observe a National Moment of Remembrance each Memorial Day at 3pm.
Before you fire up the grill, there are many remembrance ceremonies happening around the country that you can attend. Also, visiting cemeteries and memorials and wearing a red poppy to remember those fallen in war, a tradition that began with a World War I poem, are good ways to mark the holiday. You have your pick of parades and fireworks displays too. Experts say enjoy the weekend, but remember as well.