The History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, a U.S. holiday observed on the last Monday in May, honors and remembers those men and women who died while serving their country. This year, Memorial Day falls on May 27.
Those who observe Memorial Day visit cemeteries or memorials, gather with family and friends, and participate in parades. For many Americans, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer.
The origins of this meaningful observance date back to the Civil War, which ended with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1865. In the years following the war, Americans paid tribute each spring to fallen soldiers. In 1868, this tradition officially became known as Decoration Day.
After World War I, the observance eventually evolved to commemorate all American military service members who died while defending their country. In 1971, more than a hundred years after the tradition started, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act went into effect, establishing the last Monday in May as a federal holiday.
As an author who writes military romantic suspense, I offer my gratitude and respect to all service members and their families, especially those who gave their lives.
