7 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Memorial Day

Memorial Day. You might think of it as the unofficial start of summer and a time for barbecues. And while that’s all fun and good, it’s important not to forget what the holiday is really about. Here are seven facts about why we truly celebrate Memorial Day. Hint: none of them involve hot dogs.

1. The tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers and flags is what led to the creation of Memorial Day. It was especially popular to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers, and some regions designated a day of the year to do so. 
    
2. As with most holidays, the origins of Memorial Day are unclear, but there are reports of a major celebration held by formerly enslaved people of Charleston, SC on May 1st, 1865. After the war, Black residents exhumed and properly interred over 250 Union soldiers that had been hastily buried by Confederates. Then a crowd of 10,000 people gathered to celebrate their freedom with singing, military marches, and a parade.
    
3. Memorial Day was officially established as a national public holiday in 1868 by General John A. Logan, head of a group of Union veterans. The holiday was originally called Decoration Day–named for the decoration of soldiers’ graves–but the name gradually changed until it officially became Memorial Day in 1967.
    
4. From 1868 to 1970, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30th. It’s unclear why this date was chosen, though some have speculated it’s because no major battles occurred on that day. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act changed Memorial Day to the last Monday of May, creating the three-day weekends we all know and love. Some veterans’ organizations and lawmakers disagree with the change, arguing that it diminishes the holiday’s meaning.
    
5. There is a Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000 to encourage people to stop and remember fallen service men and women at 3 p.m.
    
6. Memorial Day is not the same as Veteran’s Day. The latter celebrates all service men and women throughout history, while Memorial Day technically only celebrates those who died while serving. Armed Forces Day is also separate, and honors those who are currently serving.
    
7. On Memorial Day morning, the Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines say the flag is supposed to be raised to the top of the pole quickly, and then slowly lowered to half-staff, where it should remain until noon. At noon, the flag should be raised to full staff to honor those who are still serving.