Memorial Day, a holiday honoring veterans, traces its roots back to the aftermath of the Civil War, America’s deadliest conflict. While modern Memorial Day honors veterans from all wars, its origins lie in commemorations that began shortly after the Civil War. The earliest documented event occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1865, where freed slaves and missionaries organized a tribute for Union soldiers buried in unmarked graves at a former racetrack turned Confederate prison. This event, largely forgotten for many years, involved parades, speeches, and the decoration of graves, laying the foundation for what would become Memorial Day.
However, the more commonly recognized origin story dates to 1868, when General John A. Logan, president of a Union Army veterans group, called for decorating the graves of fallen soldiers on May 30. The ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery that year is considered the first official Memorial Day celebration. Over time, Memorial Day became a national holiday, officially designated in 1889, and eventually moved to the last Monday of May. Despite the differing accounts of its origins, Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served in the nation’s armed forces. Read more