The Origins and Observance of Memorial Day: Honoring the Fallen Heroes
The Origins of Memorial Day Memorial Day, a revered American holiday, traces its origins to the aftermath of the Civil War, a conflict that claimed more lives than any other in U.S. history. The immense loss of life necessitated the establishment of the country's first national cemeteries. In the late 1860s, various communities began holding springtime tributes to the countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. One of the earliest known commemorations took place in 1865, organized by freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina, to honor Union soldiers who died during their imprisonment at a Confederate camp. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. This recognition came from the federal government in 1966. Waterloo first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866, with a community-wide event that involved businesses closing and residents decorating ...