Memorial Day 2016

6/1/2016 (Permalink)

This Federal holiday honoring men and women who died while serving the U.S. military takes place the last Monday of May and has created many springtime traditions and tributes around various towns in America. By the late 1960s, Americans all over bugun this tradition in order to honor the fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day and was chosen to be held on the 30th of May because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. It was to honor only the fallen soldiers of the Civil War but over time, it evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. By 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday of May and created a three-day weekend for federal employees.

Today, many cities and towns across America hold Memorial Day parades, incorporating military personnel and members of the veterans’ organization. Many people are often found visiting cemeteries and memorials to honor the countless fallen soldiers. Others throw parties and barbecues to enjoy the beginning of summer.