The Memorial Day is the national day in the USA, celebrated annually on the last Monday of May. This day is dedicated to the memory of American soldiers who died in all wars and armed conflicts in which the United States has ever participated.
The holiday was born after the Civil War in the U.S. and was originally dedicated to the soldiers who died in this war. After the First World War on this day began to remember the soldiers who died in other military conflicts. Since 1971 the Memorial Day officially became a national holiday of the USA. On this day Americans visit cemeteries and war memorials; the U.S. flag is lowered until noon local time. Many Americans consider the Memorial Day the actual beginning of summer. Traditionally, it is accompanied by family events, picnics and sporting events.
A similar American holiday is Veterans’ Day, celebrated on November 11. This day is dedicated to all war veterans, alive and dead.
Initially, May 30 was commemorated as the day of the Civil War, but today Memorial Day – the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen in the U.S. became the day when the citizens of this country pay tribute to all those who put their lives on the altar of national freedom. It is not only a day of respect for warriors and public figures, but also a day of remembrance for all the dead who are being held special services in public places, cemeteries and churches.
The history of the Memorial Day of the Fallen in the United States dates back to the Civil War, when women’s societies laid flowers on the graves of confederates who did not return from the fields. In 1868, General John Logan, head of the veteran organization Grand Army of the Republic, declared May 30 as the Memorial Day of the dead and on that day for the first time were decorated graves at Arlington Cemetery. In 1873 New York became the first state of America to officially recognize this holiday. Such an event, right, can not be the object of debate, who and when the first began to publicly honor the dead, it is clear that in every town this movement was born naturally, and Logan’s order only formulated a general need for the emergence of such a memorial day. Memorial Day brings together all those who feel indebted to those who have given up the most important value – human life for others to live.
In 1890, he was recognized by all the northern states, but the southern states were still trying to show their hostility and remembering their dead on other dates. This misunderstanding lasted only until the beginning of the First World War, when this day was declared the day of reverence for those who died in all wars. Since 1971, according to American tradition, the date of the holiday was made floating – now they are honored on the last Monday of May, thus freeing for the weekend three days so that the native heroes, and all other American citizens could pay tribute to the victims.