American History is filled with countless incidents of the courage, zeal, and zest of our heroic soldiers who are always ready to give a tough time to their enemy. Memorial day sincerely commemorates their efforts by providing us a chance to recall all the golden chapters of their courage and bravery.
Celebration of Memorial Day is undoubtedly more than some quality time with our dear ones. It’s a day to thank our soldiers for their countless sacrifices that made it possible for us to breathe in an independent country.
However, most of us are not well aware of the historical worth of this day. The younger generation especially sees it as another one of the many federal holidays that they usually take for granted.
Let us enlighten you with some valuable information about this American Holiday to elevate the true spirit more than traditional celebrations and meals.
A brief history of Memorial Day
You must have seen the US residents visiting and decorating cemeteries on the last Monday of May every year. It is definitely one of the first traditions that people followed when they witnessed this day on May 30th, 1868.
Ever since the Civil War ended, Americans felt a need to have a national day to pay tribute to their patriots. People began to organize small-scale ceremonies on their own. Those ceremonies were conducted in the form of groups and honored a few Veterans only. Finally, on May 5th, 1868, General John A. Logan announced a nationwide day of remembrance.
Initially, it was referred to as Decoration Day and honored the deceased soldiers of the Civil war only. After World War I, its radius expanded to honor the services of all those who ever died in wartime. The year 1971 then declared it a National Holiday and gave it an official name of Memorial Day.
In the same year, it was moved from 30th May to the last Monday of May to make it a three-day long weekend for families who would mourn their loved ones together.
The former US President Bill Clinton strongly stressed the observance of this day. In 2000, he passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, intending to encourage Americans to have a minute of silence at 3 p.m. irrespective of wherever they are. It emphasizes the importance of saying a little prayer in honor of the precious martyrs, their children, their spouses, their parents, and anyone and everyone who was strongly associated with them.
Another significant observance of this day is that American flags stay half-staff till noon and full-staff until sundown.
Basically, these customs, laws, traditions, and rituals bind Americans helping them in maintaining a strong connection with their roots. These other play a massive role in instilling empathy where one person’s grief is the other person’s sorrow.
After giving it a read, I am sure you must have already made up your mind about visiting cemeteries on the 31st of May this year.
But wait! Are you muddling up this day with Veterans Day.
The next section of this article is solely directed to you. Have a look at it and say bye to such common confusions.
Is Memorial Day different from Veterans Day?
Unfortunately, evidence suggests that people often confuse Memorial Day with Veterans day even when these two are clearly distinctive in their ways.
Do you know why?
Well, let’s find it out together.
- Memorial Day specifically honors the military personnel, men and women, who had died while serving in a war. It reflects on the sacrifices they made to make us realize that freedom, luxury, and life, in general, are extraordinary. Thus, one must never turn a blind eye to those who have made it all possible by losing their precious lives.
- On the other hand, Veterans Day celebrates all who have ever served the public during war or peace. It pays tribute to all the living and the deceased officials who have invested their time serving others. Unlike the memorial day, it is celebrated on the 11th of November every year.
Moving on towards the point of concern, hopefully, by now, the obvious difference between these two days of great worth would be more precise.
So, do not forget to play your part sensibly. Spread the word and save others from making such common mistakes.
Some Facts About Memorial Day
And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Now it’s time to dig into some interesting facts connected to the day. Be it poppy flowers or summer salad that lets you cherish memories for Memorial Day, keep at it. Because this is what creates a legacy for generations.
- Evidence suggests that Memorial Day is celebrated on the 30th of May because the flowers bloom by then, making it easier to decorate cemeteries.
- Memorial Day was first declared as a Federal Holiday by the state of New York.
- Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30 until President Lyndon B. Johnson moved it to the last Monday of May.
- The first-ever Memorial Day ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery, where a crowd of some 5,000 people decorated over 20,000 graves of the military martyrs with flowers.
- On every Memorial Day, a National Moment of Remembrance is observed at 3 p.m. (local time) to honor the military personnel who have died while serving their nation.
- Red poppy became a symbol of this day in the United States by taking inspiration from John McCrae’s famous poem “In Flanders Fields.”
We can’t ever pay back the sacrifices our heroes gave for us, but this day can help their loved ones feel significant that the efforts of the martyrs are acknowledged as their families pay the price. These are celebrations that allow the nations to unite and stay motivated. Continue celebrating this day to let our younger generation know about our warriors who never feared death and fight till their last breath.
Send greetings in any language through eTS Translation Services
Several countries have their version of Memorial Day. While the holiday may not fall on the same day, it is worthwhile to send a greeting to friends and comrades across the globe in their language. Doing so will uplift their spirits and make them know that there are people who remember the courage and bravery of their loved ones who gave their lives to defend their country’s freedom. Allow the native-speaking translators of eTranslation Services to translate your heartfelt greetings and messages of love and hope. Call us at (800) 882 6058 or send us an email at [email protected].
Happy Memorial Day to everyone!
