As the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day evokes warm memories along with greatness and deep patriotism. Whether we're spending time with friends and family, joining in on a parade, or just enjoying the day, there's no wrong way to celebrate.

But there's more to Memorial Day than just a day off. It's also a time to remember and honor those who have fallen in service to our country. Whether it's members of the military, firefighters, or law enforcement, Memorial Day is a day to celebrate the sacrifices they've made.

In this blog post, we'll explore the history of Memorial Day, learn about its significance, and share some facts about the holiday. 

History of Memorial Day

Over the centuries, Memorial Day has been celebrated in the United States to honor and remember those who fought and fallen for our country.

It was first celebrated in 1868. At that time, it was called Decoration Day to honor those who fell while fighting in the Civil War.

After World War II, the term Memorial Day became more common than Decoration Day. Because of this, Congress passed a law making the name for the holiday official. This law also moved the celebration of this holiday from May 30th to the last Monday of May. Of course, plenty of advocates want to return the holiday to its original date. To this day, Congress hasn't amended the law and we continue to celebrate it on the last Monday of May.

Why Is Memorial Day Important?

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate Memorial Day, but one of the biggest is that it’s a reminder of our fallen soldiers and the sacrifices they made for us. Here are some reasons why Memorial Day is so important.

A Time to Remember

Memorial Day is important because it's a time to remember those who have fallen in service for our country. It's a time to remember the sacrifices they made, honor them, and remember those who were injured and the families who lost their loved ones.

A Day to Honor Our Fallen Soldiers

Countless sacrifices have been made just to ensure that we can live in a free and democratic society. This coming Memorial Day, let's remember those who have died in service to our country and to honor what they stood for.

A Time for Renewal

Memorial Day is a day to reflect on how far we've come as a nation. It's a day to recommit ourselves to the values that make this country great. We should remember that our country is still young, and there's still much work to be done.

A Day to Reflect on Our Values

Think about the values that we stand for as a nation and the things that make us happy and proud. Let's remember the values that we hold dear and reaffirm our commitment to them.

A Celebration of Our Country's History

Memorial Day is a day to celebrate the progress our country has made. We should remember the sacrifices of those who came before us and be grateful for everything we have today.

A Day to Uphold Our Resilience and Continuing Progress

The United States is still a young country, and we're still on the move. We should remember that we're still fighting for what we believe in and our way of life. We should also remember that we're still progressing, even if there are bumps in the road.

Common Observances and Traditions

There are a lot of different memorial day traditions out there. Some are more popular than others, but all of them have a purpose. Here are some of the most common ones. And if you're looking for more ways to celebrate Memorial Day, you can check our blog post about it here.

Prayer services

Many people attend prayer services on Memorial Day. Prayer can be a powerful way to connect with our loved ones who have fallen fighting for our country.

Parades

Memorial Day parades are a big tradition in many cities. They're a way to celebrate our country's history and honor our fallen soldiers. To many people, they're also a chance to show off our patriotic spirit.

Cookouts and Barbecues

Despite its day, Memorial Day isn't all about doom and gloom -- it's also a day for family fun! Many people do cookouts and have a picnic dinner together. This holiday coincides with the unofficial beginning of summer, so many people do cookouts on Memorial Day also to celebrate the summer weather. This is a great way to spend the day together.

Why not take your Memorial Day cookout to the next level by trying a different recipe? Not only will you enjoy the food, your cookout can also be the reason for a family and friend gathering!

Flag Ceremonies

One of the most important traditions on Memorial Day is flag ceremonies. Our flag is a symbol of our nation, its values, and the things we stand for. These ceremonies are a way to honor our commitment to fighting for freedom and remember the countless sacrifices of our countrymen. 

Memorial Gardens

Many people also visit memorial gardens. These gardens are often decorated with flags and flowers, memorials, and other decorations. 

Trivia About Memorial Day

Of course, we can't conclude this blog post without giving some interesting facts about Memorial Day!

1. Memorial Day came about due to the lives lost because of the Civil War. This war has caused significant damage and loss of life to our country, and Memorial Day was first celebrated as a way to honor these individuals and remember the fallen.

2. The first Memorial Day was held on May 30, 1868, in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It was organized by General John A. Logan, a former Union Army general. He wanted to make sure that no one forgot the sacrifices that were made during the Civil War. 

3. Originally, it was known as Decoration Day. Fallen soldiers deserved to be honored. As Americans, it is our custom to decorate graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags.

4. There is no official ceremony prescribed for Memorial Day. There is no set ceremony or memorial service that takes place on Memorial Day, but many people choose to honor the holiday by attending patriotic events or spending time with family and friends.

5. In 1971, Congress passed a law asking all Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to remember those who have died in service to their country.