(Source: The History Channel)
- Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. On May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month, on May 30.
- With World War I, the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.
- Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971.
- Memorial Day for decades was celebrated on May 30. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Effective in 1971, Memorial Day became a three-day weekend for federal employees.
- Memorial Day unofficially marks the beginning of summer.
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