Memorial Day 2021: 13 Facts To Know About History And Origin Of Holiday
05/31/21 AT 9:30 AM
Memorial Day is finally here, but the federal holiday is way more than just the unofficial start of summer. With the arrival of warmer temperatures and marathon barbeques, it is easy to overlook the history of the important day.
Each year, the last Monday in May is dedicated to honoring members of the military who lost their lives while serving the United States.
Check out a few of these Memorial Day facts compiled from History and the US Department of Veterans Affairs below:
-Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. During the event, businesses would close and locals would decorate the graves of soldiers with flags and flowers.
"We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom." – Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Day is specifically to honor those who died in military service. One vet says he'd prefer people say, "I hope you're having a meaningful day." The holiday's history dates to the Civil War.