MEMORIAL DAY

Background: Graves at Arlington National Cemetery are decorated with flags for Memorial Day 2019. (ANC/Elizabeth Fraser)

WHY IS THE LAST MONDAY IN MAY A HOLIDAY?

HISTORY EDUCATION SERIES

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

ORIGINS

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• Originally called “Decoration Day”
• A day to remember loved ones who died in the Civil War (1861-1865)
• Graves decorated with flowers or wreaths

A group of women and children gathered daisies for Decoration Day on May 30, 1899. (LOC/Frances Benjamin Johnston)

OBSERVED NATIONALLY

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Ceremonies began in many different communities after the Civil War.

First officially observed at Arlington National Cemetery in 1868.

Over 100 years later, Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971.

Memorial Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery include the placement of flags at gravesites, families visiting and decorating headstones, official ceremonies and flower laying. (ANC/Elizabeth Fraser, 2018 and 2019)

MEANING

• Honors all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and died while serving their country

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A funeral with U.S. Army Honor Guard is conducted at Arlington National Cemetery. (ANC/Elizabeth Fraser)

WHO SERVES?

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• Veterans are men and women who have served in the military.
• There are six main U.S. military branches.

U.S. MILITARY BRANCHES

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Army:

• Oldest and largest branch
• Fights on land

Navy:

• Protection on the sea

Air Force:

• Provides air power and support

Marine Corps:

• Fast sea and land deployment

Space Force:

• Newest branch
• Protects U.S. interests in space

Coast Guard:

• Guards U.S. harbors and coast

Military personnel train in a variety of circumstances and locations. (Photos from U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard, 2015, 2019 and 2020)

NATIONAL CEMETERIES

• Many veterans choose to be buried in a cemetery for military service members.
• One example is Arlington National Cemetery, outside Washington, D.C.
• Is there a national cemetery near you?

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Headstones and columbarium niche covers at Arlington National Cemetery. (ANC/Elizabeth Fraser, 2018, 2019, and 2020)

AMERICAN CEMETERIES ABROAD

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Some service members died abroad and are buried in special cemeteries in foreign countries.

Service members from World War I buried in Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France. (Public Domain)

A headstone in the Normandy American Cemetery in France. (Pixabay, 2013)

Stars of David mark the graves of Jewish service members at Normandy American Cemetery. (Pixabay, 2019)

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

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• “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier, known but to God.”
• Located at Arlington National Cemetery
• Guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, rain or shine, for over 80 years
• Tomb Guards show respect for fallen comrades.

Soldiers guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier no matter the weather. Wreath-laying ceremonies occur nearly every day. (ANC/Elizabeth Fraser)

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

• National holidays give people a chance to honor others and to think about what it means to be an American.
• What other American holidays do you observe?

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U.S. flags are hung in Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery before Memorial Day and Veterans Day. (ANC/Elizabeth Fraser)

MEMORIAL DAY:

A TIMELINE

1800

1900

2000

1866-1867

Americans in many cities decorated soldiers’ graves in the spring

1921

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated