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Memorial Day honors the men and women of the U.S. military who have given their lives in service of their country. The holiday is observed on the fourth Monday of May, and was originally referred to as Decoration Day.

In the years following the end of the U.S. Civil War, the losses of which necessitated the creation of national cemeteries, an annual custom of honoring the fallen soldiers by decorating their graves became common in towns across the U.S. Although there is uncertainty about where and when the tradition began, the official beginning of Memorial Day was granted by the U.S. government to Waterloo, New York, in 1866, a town that annually closed its businesses to honor fallen soldiers.

One of the first to propose a day of remembrance was Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, who made a proclamation that May 30th would become an annual holiday to mourn and commemorate those that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The first official Decoration Day commemoration was observed in 1868 at the Arlington National Cemetery. Following a speech made by General and Congressman James Garfield, 5,000 people participated in decorating the graves of 20,000 Civil War soldiers.

When it began, Decoration Day was meant to honor those who had served in the Civil War, but over time the meaning expanded to include soldiers of subsequent wars over the decades. Memorial Day was not cemented as a federal holiday until 1971, when Congress passed it into law, intending to provide Americans with an extended weekend.

Ways to celebrate Memorial Day differ between each community, family, and individual. Many visit cemeteries and decorate memorial sites, or simply display the American flag. Some host gatherings or take advantage of the long weekend to escape on a trip, welcoming the start of summer. Larger events include parades that involve military personnel or official ceremonies. Arlington National Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the United States, owned by the Department of the Army; it holds a resting place for over 400,000 who have served in the U.S. military. The land, once the home of confederate Robert. E. Lee, hosts an annual Memorial Day event where a flag is placed on each grave. The cemetery is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a powerful symbol of remembrance for the soldiers who remain unidentified or missing.

The National Moment of Remembrance Act encourages Americans to pause at 3:00 pm local time and remember the sacrifices and bravery of fallen soldiers. However you celebrate Memorial Day, take a moment to honor those who have served.

Happy Memorial Day!