Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those in the miltary who died while serving our country.

Memorial Day first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May, as passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays.