General John A. Logan: The First Memorial Day

The official first Memorial Day was in Waterloo, New York, in 1866. But it wasn’t always called “Memorial Day” General Logan came up with the idea for “Decoration Day” while he was the main speaker in Illinois on April 29, 1866. On May 5 of that year, he took he’s idea to the public. And May 30 was chosen to be the first official observance of the new day of remembering, because it was NOT the date of a famous battle. He remembered how fitting it was that even the ancients had a day of remembering hero’s who died. General Logan issued an order that every grave of the fallen soldiers be decorated for 1 day.

However, due to lingering resentment and hostility from the South to the North, some Southern States refused to recognize the day set aside. They had their own day for remembering the fallen in war.

Memorial Day was the alternative name for Decoration Day, in 1882. But it didn’t start being referred as such till after World War II. And it became the Federally recognized name in 1967, when a law was passed to change the name.

In June of 1968, the U.S. Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Bill which moved 3 holidays from their traditional days, to make a convenient 3-day weekend. These included Washington’s Birthday (later to become President’s Day) , Veterans Day and Memorial Day. This change moved the traditional May 30 date of Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, by law in 1971. Some states tried to argue the move, but most came around within a few years.

Many also mark this day as the beginning of summer, there are speeches, family picnics and the opening of beaches around the country. Much time has passed from the first Memorial Day, some people nearly forgot the original idea behind it and only think of the fun and warm days coming.

As long as there is war, there will be a need to remember….to remember those who helped keep freedoms in this country. To those who died for the country they so loved.