Memorial Day

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Our Topic: “Memorial Day”


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Memorial Day
The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day," which was first used in 1882. Memorial Day did not become the more common name until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from its traditional dates of May 30th to a specified Monday, the last Monday in May, in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. After initial unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted the change within a few years.

On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon.  It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the livings, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.For more information, click here:  http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/memorial-day/meaning/