When was decoration day established

I know of nothing more appropriate on this occasion than to inquire what brought these men here; what high motive led them to condense life into an hour, and to crown that hour by joyfully welcoming death? Let us consider. Eight years ago this was the most unwarlike nation of the earth. For nearly fifty years 1 no spot in any of these states had been the scene of battle. Thirty millions of people had an army of less than ten thousand men. The faith of our people in the stability and permanence of their institutions was like their faith in the eternal course of nature.

Peace, liberty, and personal security were blessings as common and universal as sunshine and showers and fruitful seasons; and all sprang from a single source, the old American principle that all owe due submission and obedience to the lawfully expressed will of the majority. This is not one of the doctrines of our political system—it is the system itself. It is our political firmament, in which all other truths are set, as stars in Heaven.

Against this principle the whole weight of the rebellion was thrown. Its overthrow would have brought such ruin as might follow in the physical universe, if the power of gravitation were destroyed and. The Nation was summoned to arms by every high motive which can inspire men.

Two centuries of freedom had made its people unfit for despotism. They must save their Government or miserably perish. As a flash of lightning in a midnight tempest reveals the abysmal horrors of the sea, so did the flash of the first gun disclose the awful abyss into which rebellion was ready to plunge us.

In a moment the fire was lighted in twenty million hearts. In a moment we were the most warlike Nation on the earth. In a moment we were not merely a people with an army—we were a people in arms. The Nation was in column—not all at the front, but all in the array. I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost; that the characters of men are molded and inspired by what their fathers have done; that treasured up in American souls are all the unconscious influences of the great deeds of the Anglo-Saxon race, from Agincourt to Bunker Hill.

Read their answer in this green turf. Each for himself gathered up the cherished purposes of life—its aims and ambitions, its dearest affections—and flung all, with life itself, into the scale of battle. We began the war for the Union alone; but we had not gone far into its darkness before a new element was added to the conflict, which filled the army and the nation with cheerful but intense religious enthusiasm.

Patriotism on Decoration Day also comes in the form of military tribute songs , which are often performed at services and addresses. The original Decoration day ceremonies, including the first observance at Arlington National Cemetery, heavily featured prayers and hymns.

Decoration Day was originally dedicated to honoring military service members who lost their lives in war. As it did, some of the original meaning of the day was lost. By , a group of school children touring Washington D. By joining the National Moment of Remembrance, you can help restore the original meaning of Decoration Day. Decoration Day was originally created to honor the war dead of the Civil War. But over the years, American citizens started memorializing the armed forces who fought in all wars on May 30th each year.

In addition to cleaning and decorating the gravesites of war dead, citizens started adding more commemorative events to Decoration Day. Speeches and parades, parties, and religious services started to become more prevalent, even where the tradition of grave-decorating fell by the wayside. And as the meaning and purpose of Decoration Day changed, so did the name. Memorial Day celebrations, including Memorial Day Addresses and Ceremonies at home and overseas, continued to take place on May 30th annually for many years.

But my service was a privilege, not a sacrifice. But I had friends with whom I served who made the ultimate sacrifice. To them and their fallen brothers and sisters I am forever grateful. On Memorial Day, may we keep in our hearts the memory of those who are forever silenced, that we may speak and live and love. Safe and free. Like and share this article via Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Joel L. Very highly recommended.

Learn more about the author and his book at Dreamsofmymothers. By itself, a day off from work was celebratory, since there were few national holidays. As early as , the New York Times warned that the original purpose of the day should not be lost. Again in , in the same newspaper, the lament was repeated. Historian James McPherson notes the trend continued in the s: "Parades replaced processions.

Commemoration gave way to celebration. As the 19th century advanced, it was commonplace to close businesses in Northern states. It became accepted to split the day: a visit to the cemetery in the morning was followed by relaxation and diversion in the afternoon. President Grover Cleveland in went fishing, which prompted a few scalding headlines and is listed as one of the reasons for his defeat in the bid for a second term. A year later, the first Indianapolis was held on the day without much of a whisper.

During the 20th century, Memorial Day evolved as a permanent holiday on the calendar. What it entailed changed. It became a remembrance of all service personnel killed in war balanced by leisure, thus changing the attitude and changing conditions have left their mark on Memorial Day. Perceptions of Memorial Day have and will continue to change.

In keeping with the spirit of relaxation and leisure, it is estimated that more than 41 million people will treat themselves to a trip of 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend. The serious demeanor and spirit of the holiday extends beyond the last Monday in May. It should be noted that the number of people participating in the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was around 5,, which is approximately the same number attending today.

Recalling that Memorial Day was originally a holiday for Union soldiers, some Southern states still have separate Confederate remembrances. The South was not largely on board with Memorial Day until after World War I, when remembrances were encompassing all those who died in the countries various conflicts. So, when did it start…, , , , , ?

Pick your date. What really matters is that we all remember, in our own way, Memorial Day. Explore This Park. Stereograph shows President Ulysses S. So where does the holiday come from?