Memorial Day was originally know as Decoration Day, occurs on the last Monday of May each year in honor of U.S. military personnel who have died during military service. A day for this purpose first took place in Charleston after the Civil War in 1865 when freed slaves created a cemetery as a way to remember fallen Union soldiers. It wasn't until after World War I that the federal holiday honored all fallen military personnel for any war.
Memorial Day officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic,and was observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.
It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half mast from dawn until noon. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gathering on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the stat of the summer season for cultural events.
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