They called it Decoration Day and on that first special occasion of remembrance, there was a parade of 3,000 school children carrying roses, and women cradling baskets of blooms, wreaths and crosses in a planned walk to the local cemeteries.
Reader view: Have a meaningful Memorial Day myedmondsnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from myedmondsnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Memorial Day traditions return on Long Island after COVID-19 cancellations newsday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newsday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Today marks Memorial Day, and as with many American traditions, there are competing histories of its origin. Memorial Day is, of course, a long-established federal holiday dedicated to honouring America’s veterans who have died in service. It lands on the last Monday in May. It began its life as “Decoration Day” and it started following the Civil War, a war with more than 600,000 solider causalities. Later, it progressed to incorporate 20th.
The 13 men from Key West honored by the new memorial were among the nation's first Black marines and enlisted to fight in World War II - then faced bigotry when they returned to their island home.