Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day's origins go all the back to the Civil War. It was at the end of a brutal war, a war in which brother fought brother and the best of friends became the worst of enemies. It was the Civil War, one of the worst wars ever fought by the people of this nation, and it was fought on our own soil. During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971). It is the unofficial kick off to summer. To honor those Americans who died fighting for our freedom, we have parades, lay flowers on the graves of our lost Americans, we gather together with family and friends and barbecue to remember. Memorial Day is a legal holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May. Many have parties with
Memorial Day Party Supplies and
Memorial Day Decorations. To many it is considered to be the start of the summer. A Memorial Day party is patriotic with American flags, a BBQ, sack races, and lively music.
