Memorial Day

The first Memorial Day was three years after the civil war ended on May 5, 1858. The head of the Grand Army of the Republic organization of Union veterans established Decoration Day as a day to decorate the graves of the war dead. Memorial Day is now every May 25.  Memorial Day honors all the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. On memorial Day lots of people visit cemeteries and memorials. It is also traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half-mast from dawn until noon.