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Memorial Day

A federal holiday on the last Monday in May honoring deceased U.S. service members, originally known as Decoration Day.

Decoration Day

The original name for Memorial Day, established in 1868 by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) to decorate soldiers' graves.

General Orders No

Proclamation by the GAR's General John Logan in 1868 designating May 30 as Memorial Day for decorating soldiers' graves.

Birthplace of Memorial Day

Waterloo, NY, officially declared by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966.

National Moment of Remembrance

Established in 2000, a moment of silence at 3 pm local time on Memorial Day to honor fallen soldiers.

John Alexander Logan

Civil War veteran, national commander of the GAR, and issuer of General Orders No. 11, interred at the Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery.

Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

Founded in 1866, a powerful Union veterans' organization that proclaimed Memorial Day and disbanded in 1956.

Red Poppies Tradition

Inspired by "In Flanders Fields," promoted by Moina Michael to honor war dead, spread by Madam Guerin, and sold by VFW starting the "Buddy" Poppy program.

Legislative Actions

Including the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971 moving Memorial Day to the last Monday in May and the request for a day of prayer for peace in 1950.