05/25/2026
Today we remember.
Memorial Day began in the years after the Civil War, when communities across the country started gathering at graves to honor soldiers who died in the conflict. Originally called Decoration Day, it was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, when General John Logan called for a national day of remembrance for Union soldiers. In the years that followed the tradition grew.
After World War I, the day expanded to honor all Americans who died in war. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday, moving it to the last Monday of May.
More than 1.1 million Americans have died in this country's wars since the Revolution. They are not a statistic. They are people who had families, plans, and futures they did not get to keep.
Take a moment today to remember why the day exists. Say a name if you know one.
