U.S. Holidays
Memorial Day
This holiday, on the fourth Monday of every May, is a day on which Americans honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way.
In 1971, along with other holidays, President Richard Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday on the last Monday in May. Cities all around the United States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday in May to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country. In many communities, special ceremonies are held in cemeteries or at monuments for the war dead by veterans of military services. Some hold parades and others hold memorial services or special programs in churches, schools or other public meeting places.
Memorial Day is not limited to honor only those Americans from the armed forces. It is also a day for personal remembrance. Families and individuals honor the memories of their loved ones who have died. Church services, visits to the cemetery, flowers on graves or even silent tribute mark the day with dignity and solemnity.
On Memorial Day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs. Members of the armed forces shoot a rifle salute in the air. Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths and say prayers. It is a day of reflection.
However, to many Americans the day also signals the beginning of summer with a three-day weekend to spend at the beach, in the mountains or at home relaxing.
See also:
About the USA: U.S. History - Slavery, Civil War and Westward Expansion
Abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials
Background
· The American Legion
· Arlington National Cemetery (U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs)
· Celebrate! Holidays in the USA: Memorial Day
· The Flower of Remembrance (U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs)
· Gun Salutes (U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs)
· History of Memorial Day (History Channel)
· Memorial Day (David Merchant)
· Memorial Day: A Salute to World War II Veterans (U.S. Census Bureau)
· The origins of Memorial Day (U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs)
· Outline of American History
· The Story of Taps (U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs)
· U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Original Documents
· American Civil War Collections at the Electronic Text Center
· Memorial Day Address 2002 by President Bush at Normandy
· Memorial Day Address 2003 by President Bush
· Memorial Day Proclamation 2004: Prayer for Peace
· Memorial Day Proclamation 2005: Prayer for Peace
· Memorial Day Proclamation 2006: Prayer for Peace
Exhibits, Memorials - Digital Images
· Arlington National Cemetery Official Web Site
· Civil War Soldier and Sailor System (National Park Service)
· Memorial Day Image Gallery (Washington, DC City Pages)
· National World War II Memorial Site
· Selected Civil War Photographs (Library of Congress)
· Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Washington, DC City Pages)
Teacher Resources
· The American Civil War Homepage (University of Tennessee)
· The Civil War in the Classroom (PBS)
· Learn about the Civil War (Digital History)
· Memorial Day (Holidays Center. Education World)
Link Lists
· Civil War Resources (AcademicInfoNet)
· Index of Civil War Information on the Internet (US Civil War Center)
· Memorial Day Links (North of Boston Library Exchange)
· Yahoo! Holidays and Observances: Memorial Day
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