by Christi Jardine- Stake Provident Living Leader (8th Ward)
Here is some interesting trivia from: wikipedia/ Memorial Day
- Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed in the United States on the last Monday of May.
- Formerly known as Decoration Day was first begun in 1882. It was called this because people decorated the graves of their loved ones who have died. (My grandmother always called Memorial Day, Decoration Day!)
- This tradition was first begun following the Civil War to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who were killed in the war.
- After World War I, it was changed to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.
- In the early 1900's people began to use the holiday to honor and decorate the graves of all of their relatives who had died, whether or not they had served in the military.
- In 1967, the name was officially changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day".
- Canada has a similar holiday called "Victoria Day" which is usually around May 24.
For a Fun Family Home Evening gather up one or two family stories. Go to the cemetery where your relative is buried. Place some flowers on the grave and tell or read the story from their life. We have so much to be grateful for and much of it is due to the love, hard-work and sacrifice of our ancestors. Take some time to honor them!
Happy Memorial Day!
