Memorial Day: A Brief History and Explanation of It

May 30th, 2009 marks the unofficial start of the Summer holiday in America. In many cities across the country, pools will be opening, beaches will be welcoming throngs of swimsuit clad sun worshipers, school children will be thankful for a day off from school, and malls will be prepared for (hopefully) a big day of sales and bringing in money to help make ends meet.

However, for many Americans, there is a deeper, more important meaning to Memorial Day. It is a time to observe and reflect. It is a time to be thankful for the things that we take for granted at times, like freedom and the other rights given to us under the Bill of Rights. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day came into existence after the Civil War. It did not automatically become the holiday it is now overnight. As time passed, Memorial Day had evolved and changed into something all inclusive that allows us to remember all of our fallen brothers and sisters. What follows is a brief history of how Memorial Day came to be.

According to Answers.com, Memorial Day was first born as Decoration Day, back in 1868 by a General John A. Logan, a general in the then Union army. He issued General Order #11 to declare that the fallen of the Civil War would be given a day of rememberance throughout the entire country. The first time it was officially celebrated, after the order was issued, was May 30th. The reason why this day was chosen is because of the fact that no battle in the Civil War happened on this day. It would be better to remember the fallen on a day of peace versus a day marked by violence and bloodshed. The day was referred to as 'Decoration Day', as people would go to the graves of the fallen Union soldiers and decorate them with flowers. As wisegeek.com shows, the day was not refered to as Memorial Day on a common basis until after World War II. The date of commemoration, May 30th, always remained the same though until 1968, when a bill was passed to change the day to the last Monday of the month of May, thereby creating a three day weekend. Even without the creation of this three day weekend, however, Memorial Day had become a time for spending time with family and sports events. This especially was the case in 1911, when the Indianapolis 500 was run on Memorial Day. This tradition has kept going ever since then.

As this tradition of spending time with family and sports events grew, more organizations began to use Memorial Day to mark the start of Summer. As more people were marking the start of Summer with Memorial Day, accidents began to grow as well. According to Wikipedia, the 'Click it or Ticket' campaign, urging people to use seat belts and to drive safely, begins normally around this time. Also, '101 Critical Days of Summer', started by the U.S. Air Force, begins on this day as well, once again, marking the time that accidents begin to rise, as people are traveling more due to summertime.

Although it is now seen more as a bonus day off, Memorial Day came into existence as a way of remembering our fellow Americans who have fallen in the line of duty. Started as a way to remember the fallen of the Civil War, Memorial Day developed to include those who had fallen in all wars and military actions. It also became a way for us to spend time with members of our own family, and enjoy their time and their existence on this Earth, as we also remember those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms. Memorial Day is a way to remember the dead as well as appreciate the living before it is too late.