We all have some idea that Memorial Day is more than just a day off of work to enjoy the sunshine and perhaps some barbecuing, but very few of us know the history behind this day. The observance was nationally celebrated just three years after the Civil War and was known as Decoration Day. Major General John A. Logan chose May 30th as the date for the celebration, supposedly because this was when the country was in full bloom! Decoration Day was an opportunity for the nation to bring flowers to decorate the graves of the men who had served their country. The Grand Army of the Republic, which was the head of the organization of Union veterans, organized the first event at Arlington National Cemetery in 1868. General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife presided over the ceremonies, as well as several other Washington officials. After they had given their speeches, the Grand Army of the Republic walked through the entire cemetery, singing hymns and adorning each grave with flowers. This was done for both Union and Confederate soldiers – the Civil War was the bloodiest war in American history, ending the lives of over 600,000 Americans. This is more than the combined number of American casualties in both World Wars! Decoration Day served as a bandage for a country whose hearts were still heavy and aching from the impacts of war. “Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic,” admonished Major General John A. Logan in his speech.

Now technically this wasn’t the first observance of Memorial Day. Several smaller, local celebrations took place across the country in 1866. Although many cities in both the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace. While other states like Virginia, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, claimed to have earlier celebrations, these were often one-time events or informal observances that did not involve the whole community. On May 5, 1866, Waterloo shut down their businesses for the day. The American flag was lowered to half mast, and the Stars and Stripes continue to play an important role in our modern day celebrations. Today, the flag is raised to the top and then immediately lowered to half mast, but at noon it is raised again. This rising again has symbolic significance. “Their memory is raised by the living, who resolve to not let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue to fight for liberty and justice for all,” explains the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. 

The local observances led to Decoration Day at Arlington, and it continued to spread from there. By the end of the century, Memorial Day was celebrated across the entire nation. After World War I, it was expanded to include all American wars, not just the Civil War. The Great War brought its own traditions into the mix. About this time people started wearing poppies to commemorate the day. This was inspired by a poem written by Moina Michael in 1918 called “We Shall Keep the Faith.” In this poem, Moina Michael promises she will wear bright red poppies in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars used this tradition as a fundraiser for disabled service men.

In 1971, Congress declared it a national holiday and the date was moved to the last Monday in May. Latah County joins the rest of the nation in this celebration with an event organized by the Moscow American Legion. We gather to honor the servicemen and women who died in combat: fifty in World War I, one hundred in World War II, six in the Korean War, and six in the Vietnam War. The cemeteries are brightly colored with flowers as visitors pass by throughout the day. And as we enjoy the warmer weather and wear poppies, we remember those who fought for our freedom.

-KAYTE CASEBOLT