History heavily credits John A. Logan more than any other, as being the Founder of Memorial Day. He was a US Representative, an Illinois Senator, an author, and a General in the Grand Army of the Republic. The “GAR ‘ for short, was the largest and most powerful veterans’ organization for Union Army, Navy, and Marine Corps veterans of the American Civil War.
George R Peck An American lawyer from Chicago, Illinois writes of John A. Logan : “Only a poet could have thought it; only a poet could have made it come true. It is, beyond all others, our dearest holiday; our festival of memory, love, and beauty. We shall keep it forever, with all the flowers that grow upon prairies and in gardens and on mountain sides. And there will’ be tears. “
After holding position of General for a number of years John A. Logan becomes commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He issues General Order No. 11 on May 5, 1868. That General order officially established a national day of remembrance designated for May 30, 1868. The key text in this order urged citizens to guard graves with “sacred vigilance” and renew pledges to assist the widows and orphans of fallen soldiers, stating that neglecting these graves would testify that “we have forgotten, as a people the cost of a free and undivided Republic.”
1909 School Circular Regarding Memorial Day
The local celebrations that were at that time called “Decoration Day” were now a unified national holiday called Memorial Day. A day to decorate the graves of soldiers from both Union and Confederate armies. Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance…. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
1936 Memorial Day Poster
While numerous towns claim to have held the first local observances, Logan’s decree was pivotal because it: Unified the nation by calling for a simultaneous commemoration across all states. Established the date of May 30, which was chosen because flowers would be in bloom everywhere in the U.S. and his decree Created a lasting tradition that evolved from honoring only Civil War dead to all American military personnel who died in service. B y the end of the 19th century, the end of the 1800’s, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30, throughout the nation.
Section 13 looking west. The rows of white-washed head boards gave this section the name of “Field of the Dead.”
Memorial Day commemorates service members who died in combat, during training for combat, accidents related to service, or from service-connected illnesses. It is strictly a somber day of mourning for the fallen. Meaning those killed in action. It is distinct from Veterans Day: Veterans Day is the holiday dedicated to honoring all military veterans, both living and deceased.
1876 Orphans Decorating Graves Philadelphia Glenwood Cemetery on Decoration Day
Many Southern states also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.
Soldiers Burial Arlington 1923
Observances typically include visiting cemeteries, placing flags on graves, attending parades, and observing the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave – a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today in the United States observed on the last Monday in May to honor and mourn the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
President Roosevelt Memorial Day Parade Ohio
To honor the founder of Memorial Day the General John Alexander Logan Monument was erected in 1897. A prominent 30-foot equestrian statue located in Grant Park on the Chicago lakefront, specifically situated on a grassy hill at the western edge of the park near Michigan Avenue and East 9th Street. It remains a site for annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremonies to this day.
National WWII Memorial – President Truman
