Memorial Day is the United States National Memorial Day , celebrated annually on the last Monday of May. This day is dedicated to the memory of American soldiers who died in all wars and armed conflicts in which the United States has ever taken part.
The holiday was born after the Civil War in the United States and was originally dedicated to the northerners who died in this war. After the First World War on that day, they began to recall soldiers who died in other military conflicts. Since 1971, Memorial Day has officially become the national holiday of the United States. On this day, Americans visit cemeteries and war memorials; the US flag is lowered by noon local time. Many Americans consider Commemoration Day the actual beginning of summer. Traditionally, it is accompanied by family events, picnics and sporting events.
A similar American holiday is Veterans Day , celebrated on November 11th . This day is dedicated to all war veterans, living and dead.
Initially, May 30 was honored in memory of those killed in the Civil War, but today Memorial Day - Memorial Day in the United States was the day when the citizens of this country pay tribute to all who laid their lives on the altar of national freedom. On this day, not only soldiers and public figures are honored, it was the day of commemoration of all the dead, about whom special services are conducted in public places, cemeteries and churches.
The history of Memorial Day in the United States began during the Civil War, when women's societies laid flowers at the graves of confederates who did not return from the fields. In 1868, General John Logan , head of the veteran organization Grand Army of the Republic, was , in his order declared May 30 as the day of remembrance of the dead and on that day graves at Arlington cemetery were first decorated. In 1873, New York became the first state of America to officially recognize this holiday. Such an event, right, cannot be an object of debate about who and when he first began to honor the dead in public, it is clear that in every village this movement arose naturally, and Logan’s order only formulated a general need for such a memorial day. Memorial Day unites all who feel their duty to those who have given the most important value - human life so that others can live.
In 1890, it was recognized by all the northern states, but the southern ones still tried to show their hostility, and commemorated their dead on other dates. Such misunderstanding lasted only until the beginning of World War I. Then this day was proclaimed the day of honoring those who died in all wars. Since 1971, according to American tradition, the holiday date has been made floating - now they are honored on the last Monday of May, thereby freeing up three days for the weekend so that the family of heroes, and all other American citizens, can pay a debt of memory to the dead.