Memorial Day – emotional Day of Remembrance in the USA

Memorial Day – History and Meaning

As the name suggests, Memorial Day is a date of remembrance for all US Military personnel that died while fulfilling their duty. This sets it apart from Veterans Day, which caters to all former US soldiers, dead or alive.

The history behind Memorial Day is complex, as this holiday had many predecessors. Before and during the American Civil War, for instance, it was already a custom to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

Historians have identified 25 predecessors of Memorial Day – many of which took place in former Confederate states like Virginia, Mississippi and South Carolina. Oftentimes, these events were organized by widows and women groups.

Meanwhile, the North had remembrance days of its own, even though they were not institutionalized yet. Decoration Day, for example, was celebrated by 27 states from 1886 onwards.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson tried to end the discussions about the birthplace of Memorial Day. He declared Waterloo, New York as the official place. However, who celebrated the first Memorial Day, and where, is still a matter of debate. In 1967, Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day, and one year later, this holiday received its official date, which is still valid today.

There is also a Confederate Memorial Day that is only celebrated in the Southern states and serves to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Confederation. This holiday, albeit still officially recognized, has become more and more controversial, and public adherence is on the decline.

Memorial Day – Celebrations and Ceremonies

Memorial Day is one of the most emotional holidays in the USA and has a special meaning for patriots across the country – just like Veterans Day and Independence Day. This can be seen in the following celebrations and ceremonies:

Cemetery Services

Volunteers and families honor their fallen soldiers by placing flowers and American flags on their graves. On the largest scale, this can be witnessed at the National Military Cemetery of Arlington. Grave Markers, medals with military symbols, also enjoy huge popularity on this day. In additions, there are ceremonies in which speakers thank America’s fallen heroes for their service to the country.

Flag Ceremonies

If you are traveling on Memorial Day, you might see flag ceremonies that follow a strict protocol: At dawn, the US flag is raised quickly before being lowered to half mast. It remains in this position until noon when it is brought to the top again.

National Moment of Remembrance

An integral part of Memorial Day is the National Moment of Remembrance: At 3 pm sharp, all Americans are encouraged to stop their activities and observe a moment of silence to commemorate the fallen soldiers. This way, the original meaning of the holiday is preserved. Major League baseball games are halted at 3 pm, and Amtrak trains all over the country are sounding their horns.

Parades

At the center of the festivities are parades that are held in the entire US. Most often, active soldiers march alongside veterans of past wars. If you look closely, you might also see red poppies on the servicemens’ uniforms: Since World War 1, these flowers have been an official symbol of Memorial Day.

The oldest continuous Memorial Day parade is held in Ironton, Ohio. It has taken place there since 1868. As of now, Washington, DC and New York share the title of America’s biggest Memorial Day parade.

Memorial Day Sales – Shopping Events with special Offers

Many Americans use the long Memorial Day weekend to go shopping. Stores have reacted to this trend and are offering many bargains at this time. Because Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, there are many sales on outdoor articles like yard furniture, grills and lawnmowers.

Household appliances, mattresses, clothing, TVs and laptops can also be had for a fraction of their price on Memorial Day – for instance, at shops like Walmart, Best Buy or Home Depot.

If you really want to save money, you should keep an eye out for Memorial Day Coupons. Nowadays, you do not have to cut them out of magazines. Instead, you can simply download them from websites like savings.com, retailmenot.com or groupon.com.

Memorial Day is a popular travel date. Thus, many hotels in the USA offer special deals – for example, in Florida. However, you should book well in advance, as hotels fill up quickly on the Memorial Day weekend. If you like it more spontaneous, though, you can still enjoy plenty of offers at restaurants all across the country.

Less relevant for vacationers, but an integral part of Memorial Day are offers for veterans and active servicemen. In many museums and theme-parks, for example, they receive free entrance for themselves and their families – in addition to discounts at shops and restaurants.