Memorial Day

Officially observed on Monday, May 28, 2012

by Borgna Brunner

The Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery commemorates American war dead from the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. Photo Credit: Arttoday.com

Memorial Day originated in 1868, when Union General John A. Logan designated a day in which the graves of Civil War soldiers would be decorated.

Known as Decoration Day, the holiday was changed to Memorial Day within twenty years, becoming a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead. It became a federal holiday in 1971, and is now observed on the last Monday in May.

There is also a Confederate Memorial Day, which is celebrated on various days in spring in some of the southern states.