The History of Memorial Day

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Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May, each and every year.

When is Memorial Day?


Memorial Day was established to recognize and commemorate U.S. soldiers who died in military service.

Why Celebrate Memorial Day?


Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day?

Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and the memorials of the fallen.

A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3pm local time.


Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.



One of the longest-standingtraditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, an auto race which has been held inconjunction with Memorial Day Since 1911.



The Coca-Cola 600 stock car race has been held later the same day since 1961



The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the west lawn of the United States Capitol.



Memorial Day Statistics

Approximately 32.1 million people traveled over the holiday weekend.

Daily car rental rates were $36.65


Memorial Day Statistics

28 million people thattraveled reached their destination by driving.

Passengers paid a lowestaverage round-trip fare of $176 per ticket.


Memorial Day Facts Formerly known as Decoration Day, it was first enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War.

In May 1966, Waterloo, NY was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson because the practice of decorating soldiers’ graves was first observed on May 5, 1866 and each year thereafter.

On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, General John A. Logan issued a proclamation that “Decoration Day” should be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year.

Ironton, OH lays claim to the nation’s oldest continuously running Memorial Day parade, a tradition since 1869. The first parade was held May 5, 1868.

The ceremonies and Memorial Day address at Gettysburg National Park were nationally famous, starting in 1868.


Memorial Day Facts On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved 3 holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient 3-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May.

The 1st state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after WWI.

In July 1913, veterans of the United States and Confederate armies gathered in Gettysburg to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Civil War’s Bloodiest and most famous battle.

In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day.


Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

http://www.travelindustrywire.com/article45982.html


Serving Veteran and Military Home Owners Nationwide

Apply online at www.LowVARates.com


Toll Free 866-569-8272

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The History of Memorial Day