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Holidays and Observances - When Was The First Memorial Day?

When was the first Memorial Day?

The first Memorial Day, also called Decoration Day, was held on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, New York, to honor soldiers who had fought and died in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–65). Businesses were closed and people decorated soldiers' graves and flew flags at half-staff. Declared a national holiday in 1971, Memorial Day now takes place on the last Monday in May, and marks the beginning of summer. Many communities have military parades, speeches, and picnics in honor of all those who served in the U.S. military forces.

Further Information: Memorial Day. [Online] Available http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1465/memorial.html, November 6, 2000; "Memorial Day." MSN Encarta. [Online] Available

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