Origins of Memorial Day

1866 - The first Memorial Day is held in Waterloo, NY. This western New York town is officially credited with observing the first Memorial Day on May 5, 1866, and continuing to hold the holiday in subsequent years. Other towns with early claims to the holiday's origins include Boalsburg, PA, Charleston, SC, Carbondale, IL, Richmond, VA, and Columbus, MS. Waterloo's claim was advanced due to its connection to General John A. Logan who led the charge for a national day of rememberance for those killed in the Civil War.

Initially known as "Decoration Day," it was first held nationally on May 30, 1868, following encouragement from Logan. Due to its focus on the Civil War, many Southern states refused to participate. As part of the holiday, citizens would decorate the graves of local soldiers with flags and flowers (above right). In 1882, the name "Memorial Day" was first used, however it did not become commonly accepted until after the Second World War. During World War I, the scope of the holiday was expanded to include the dead from all wars. The final change to the holiday came in 1971, when the Federal Uniform Holidays Bill moved it from the 30th to the the last Monday in May.

Photograph Courtesy of the US Government