MEMORIAL DAY – Did You Know?

National Infantry Museum

25 MAY 2026

• Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day” after the American Civil War and began as a tradition of decorating Soldiers’ graves with flowers, flags, and wreaths.

• The first ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery on 30 May 1868, where both Union and Confederate Soldiers are buried.

• The National Cemetery Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams of the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia, with being the first to express the idea of an annual date to decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with flowers.

• After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in service to our Nation.

• In 1971, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May.

• Protocol for flying the American flag on Memorial Day includes raising it quickly to the top of the pole at sunrise, immediately lowering it to half-staff until 12:00 noon, and displaying it at full staff from noon until sunset.

• A National Moment of Remembrance is encouraged each Memorial Day at 3:00 PM local time across the United States.

• Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in our Armed Forces, while Veterans Day honors all who served in the military.

Steve Young with RE/MAX 817-276-5149 steve@steveyoung.pro