Virtual Trivia

Question 9: Day of Remembrance

April 9, 2021

Detail from a Decoration Day postcard. From the collection of New-York Historical Society

We celebrate Memorial Day as a day of remembrance, honoring men and women who died in service to our country. What was it called before it was re-named Memorial Day?

Decoration Day was established in 1868 by the head of the Grand Army of the Republic, Gen. John Logan, as a time for the nation to mourn by decorating the graves of the war dead with flowers. It was inspired by local observances that had taken place in many towns around the country. Several towns claim to be the birthplace of Decoration/Memorial Day, but in 1966, President Nixon declared the town of Waterloo, NY as the official birthplace of the holiday.