by I don't write anymore

Created on: May 16, 2007

Memorial Day is a federal holiday to honor all United States military personnel who have died in war. Tha last Sunday in May is set aside for parades and memorial services.

Memorial Day began as a celebration of the end of the U.S. civil war. Many communities gathered to pay tribute to the soldiers who died in that conflict. The Union, or North, celebrated it as Decoration Day and many Confederate, or South communities held a Confederate Memorial Day. In 1866 the day was first conceived as a national holiday held on May 30th. After the long and hard fought Civil War and with an incredible amount of animosity from the two sides, it is a credit to the nation that it was able to commune one day each year as one. The ability to heal itself in this way brought the vast U.S. borders closer. Remembering all who helped form this country also helped to strenghten it. It officially became Memorial Day in 1882 but was not recognized as a federal holiday until 1967.

In the 1970's the government changed Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Sunday in May. This was done for the convenience of a three day weekend which has caused controversy with many U.S. military veterans who believe that this has taken away the importance of honoring the dead.

It is true that in America today very few go to memorials or observances. Mostly, Memorial Day is a weekend of barbeques and camping trips. Civic leaders plan parades, cemeteries are visited by relatives, and our president carries a wreath of flowers at national cemetery. It seems that the relevance of the holiday is reserved for those in the military and their families but for the majority of Americans, Memorial Day is just a chance to relax or party.

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