Memorial Day is observed in the United States in remembrance of those, who laid down their lives for the sake of their country. It is a day to salute the dead, who have given their everything for the future of America. It is observed on the last Monday of May.

Formerly, the day was observed on May 30, as Decoration Day, only in remembrance of the dead in the American Civil War. People would decorate the graves with flowers. It was first observed in the year 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery.

However, it was commemorated on different days by the Northern States and Southern States in America. On that day, the military veterans came to schools, to inform about the Civil war and the significance of the day. They marched through towns with other people to the cemetery. The graves were decorated with flowers and photographs of soldiers were placed next to American flags. Rifles were shot in the air as a salute to the soldiers.

In 1882, the name of the day was changed to Memorial Day, which honored all the soldiers who died in the Civil War as well as in the World War I. In 1971, it was declared as a federal holiday by President Richard Nixon. Since then, it is being observed on last Monday of May.

Many Southern States honored the dead on different dates. In Texas, it is observed on January 19; on April 26 in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi; June 3 in Tennessee and Louisiana and on May 10 in South Carolina.

New York is said to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. On May 5, 1866, Waterloo first hosted a day for those, who died in the Civil War. New York was also the first American state to recognize the Memorial Day as an official holiday in the year 1873.

In the following years, the objective of Memorial Day was accompanied by personal remembrance. Now, the day is not only reserved for the war dead or who served in military, but also for the passed loved ones who are dead. Individuals and family members visit to the cemetery, decorate the graves, pay silent tribute in order to remember their memories.

The Memorial Day is observed with great pride at the nation’s largest cemetery, Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Here, along with the soldiers, distinguished Americans are honored every year. The President or the Vice-President of the United States lays flowers on the graves and gives an influential speech. The armed forces shoot their rifles in the air as their salute to the warriors. The soldiers of the Old Guard Regiment walk to the headstones of the graves and push flags one by one into the ground. The day is accompanied by many other relevant activities. The family members also come and say prayers for the peace of departed ones.

The government of America has passed a resolution, “National Moment of Remembrance” on December 2000. The objective of the resolution was to revive the true meaning of Memorial Day. This states that, all the Americans should observe a moment of remembrance in their own way at the local time, 3 pm. They should pause for a moment of silence.

People also organize the party on this day. The theme of the party could be patriotism. You may ask the guests to dress up in blue and red. Send out the invites to your guests, a place to pick up some invitation cards could be websites:

• Invitation Box
• My Expression