Memorial Day

(May 26, 2012) Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May, which this year is May 28, this coming week. Government offices and most businesses will be closed.

Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. Previously, Southern ladies' organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond, Va., and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.

By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. There are parades and civic ceremonies. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

By the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visited the graves of their deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they had served in the military or not. The long weekend increasingly became devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race, held since 1911 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

As a marker, Memorial Day typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

For details about this busy weekend, check out Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs online at newjerseyhills.com. Anyone interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers is invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out about blogging, a free, simple communication tool.