Did you know it is traditional to fly the United States flag at half mast from dawn until noon and then raise it briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes on Memorial Day?

Until 1971, this holiday honoring men and women who died while serving in the US military was known as Decoration Day, which originated three years after the Civil War ended in 1868, by an organization of Union veterans.  The traditional date was May 30th.  Today, cities in the North and the South still claim to be the birthplace of Decoration Day.  However the North wins this argument with Waterloo, NY being declared the official “birthplace” in 1966 by Congress and President Johnson – a southerner!  In 1971, by an act of Congress, the holiday became known as Memorial Day and was moved to the last Monday of May.

To some, Memorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day – fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.

“The National Moment of Remembrance Act” was passed in 2000.  This is to encourage all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

To quote Gen. Logan from 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime we should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. … Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

Memorial Day, however, has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.