Memorial Day, observed this upcoming Monday, holds various meanings for different people. For some, it is simply a day off work, while for others, it marks the unofficial start of summer. However, for those who understand the true significance of the day, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to honor and remember those who served in the U.S. military, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice by losing their lives in service to the country.

This year, it is celebrated on May 26.

The roots of Memorial Day can be traced back to the Civil War, originally known as Decoration Day, a day dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers. The tradition evolved over the years, eventually becoming the holiday we recognize today. In 1971, Memorial Day was officially designated as a federal holiday. It now falls on the last Monday in May, a change instituted to ensure a long weekend for federal employees and businesses.

The origins of Memorial Day go back to 1868.

In this year, General John A. Logan, a leader of the Union Army, called for a national day of remembrance. He declared May 30th as Decoration Day, a day when citizens would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. The first major observance took place at Arlington National Cemetery, where General James Garfield gave a speech to an audience of over 5,000 people. On that day, approximately 20,000 graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated. As the nation was still deeply divided after the Civil War, other regions, particularly in the North, held similar observances. By 1890, all northern states had made Decoration Day an official holiday, while the South continued to honor its own fallen soldiers on different dates.

With more losses from war, the holiday spread.

As the United States became involved in more conflicts, the number of fallen soldiers grew, and Decoration Day continued to be a day of remembrance. For many years, May 30th remained the chosen date for the observance. However, with the passage of time and an increasing number of wars, the observance of the day became more widespread across the nation, especially after World War I.

A significant change came in 1968.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to create more three-day weekends for the American public. The law, which went into effect in 1971, shifted the observance of Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday of May. This change not only allowed for a longer weekend but also helped standardize the holiday nationwide.

While Memorial Day has evolved from a regional observance to a national holiday, its core purpose remains unchanged: to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for the country. Though the day now also signifies the start of summer for many, its true meaning continues to be a reminder of the cost of freedom and the importance of remembering those who gave everything in the service of their nation.