This Memorial Day weekend take a moment to remember the real reason that the last weekend in May is dedicated to the veterans who have served the United States of America.

Originally known as Decorations Day, Memorial Day is a day that is dedicated to the remembrance of the people who have died while serving the United States of America.

New York was the first state to recognize Decoration Day as a Holiday in 1873, with all of the Northern States proclaiming it a holiday in 1890. The South refused to acknowledge Decorations Day, instead honoring their own dead on another day until after the First World War when the holiday changed from those who died in the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died during battle in any United States war.

With that being said, some claim their town to be the first to celebrate Decoration Day. Columbus, Miss held a ceremony with a group of women visiting a cemetery on April 25, 1866. They were there to decorate the Confederate soldiers graves who had died fighting the battle of Shiloh, however, when they noticed that the nearby graves of the enemy had been neglected they placed flowers on the Union soldiers graves as well.

Cities in the South and the North claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. Columbus and Macon GA, Richmond, VA, Boalsburg, PA and Carbondale, Illinois all say that the first Memorial Day took place in their township. At last count 25 towns and cities have claimed to be the originator of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day ceremonies were held on May 30 at the end of the 1800’s with state legislature passing proclamations to designate the day as an official holiday.

In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday, and although it was, and in some cases, is still referred to as Decoration Day, the holiday was officially known as Memorial Day.

Many states in the South have their own holidays honoring the fallen Confederate soldiers. Alabama celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the 4th Monday in April while Mississippi celebrates on the last Monday in April. North and South Carolina observe Confederate Memorial Day on 10 May. Louisiana celebrates on 3 June with Tennessee calling the same date Confederate Decoration Day.

Regardless of the exact location or date, Decoration Day began after the Civil War when General John Logan, who was the National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed that, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” The General called it Decoration Day, as it wasn’t meant to be the anniversary of any battle in particular.

General James Garfield gave a speech on the first Decoration Day at Arlington Cemetery where more than 5,000 people decorated the 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers who were buried there.

As you enjoy the long weekend with family and friends take a moment to remember all of those who have made it possible for you to enjoy your barbecues and picnics in the land of the free.

Knoxweb would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day.