Happy Memorial Day!

(Photo: visuallee.com)

Did you know...Memorial Day

- was originally observed on May 30 until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971 

- it was originally known as Dedication Day

-  May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance 

- People were to "Decorate" the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion with flowers and flags

- it started with remmebering those who lost their lives during he Civil War and now, it is a day of remembering all fallen soldiers from every war fought

- in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, NY as the official bithplace of Memorial Day

- became a federal holiday in 1971

- observations of the holiday include visiting cemetaries, family gatherings, barbecues, parades, and flying the American flag

- it is also the unofficial start to the summer!!!

If you want to know more, visit History.com