Honoring the Heroes Who Made it Possible: The Significance of Memorial Day

For many Americans, the summer season signifies fun-filled activities such as eating hamburgers and hot dogs, enjoying time by the pool, and soaking up the sun at the beach. However, we should not overlook the significance of Memorial Day, a national holiday that is observed on May 29th to pay tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Originally known as “Decoration Day,” the holiday was established after the Civil War as mourners placed flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Today, small American flags decorate the graves at national cemeteries across the nation.

In 1868, General John A. Logan from the Grand Army of the Republic designated May 30th as a day to honor the fallen. For years, Memorial Day was celebrated on this date before Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, moving the holiday to the last Monday in May and making it a federal holiday.

While Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial start of summer, we should remember the importance of this holiday by taking the time to reflect and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s greater good.