NEWS AND EDITORIAL
Memorial Day in
the United States
Memorial Day is observed on the
last Monday of May. It was formerly
known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who
have died in military service for the
United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day
and it is traditionally seen as the start
of the summer season.
It is traditional to fly the flag of the
United States at half- mast from dawn
until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to
honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an
American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis’ Birthday in
Mississippi.
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missLINGVA / June, 2015
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
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.
Memorial Day started as an event
to honor Union soldiers, who had
died during the American Civil War. It
was inspired by the way people in the
Southern states honored their dead.
After World War I, it was extended to
include all men and women, who died
in any war or military action.
Memorial Day was originally known
as Decoration Day. The current name
for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day
and then Memorial Day used to be
held on May 30, regardless of the day
of the week, on which it fell. In 1968,
the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed
as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends.
This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially
observed on the last Monday in May.
However, it took a longer period for all
American states to recognize the new
date.