Memorial Day Fun Facts
What is May?
This man held the first Memorial Day commemoration
Who is General John A. Logan? He was the commander of the Union veteran's group Grand Army of the Republic
In 1873, this state was the first state to designate Memorial Day a legal holiday
What is New York? By the late 1800s, many more cities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday
People often wear these on Memorial Day to honor those fallen in war
What are red poppies? This tradition came from a World War 1 poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae
Memorial Day was originally known by this name
What is Decoration Day? It came from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags
Memorial Day is commemorated here
What is Arlington National Cemetery? A ceremony is held here each year in which a small American flag is placed on each grave
Memorial Day was first widely observed on this day
What is May 30, 1865? It was to commemorate the sacrifices of civil war soldiers
The American flag is flown at this position on Memorial Day
What is half staff?
Memorial Day is considered to be the unofficial start to this
What is summer?
In his famous poem, John McCrae states that poppies grow in this field
What is Flanders Fields?
In 1968, congress passed this act that established Memorial Day was to be commemorated on the last Monday of May
What is the Uniform Monday Holiday Act? It was put into effect in 1971
A Moment of National Silence is held at this time of day
What is 3:00 PM? This was designated by the National Moment of Remembrance Act that was passed in 2000
Memorial Day first began after the end of this war
What is the Civil War?
On the first Decoration Day, this general made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery
Who is General James Garfield?
One of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was held in this city
What is Charleston, SC? The commemoration was held by a group of formerly enslaved people less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered
This sporting event is held the Sunday before Memorial Day
What is the Indianapolis 500?
Memorial day was chosen to be held in May because these would be in bloom all over the country
What are flowers?
The graves of 20,000 Civil War soldiers were decorated with flower, wreaths, and flags at the first Decoration Day by this many participants
What is 5,000?
In 1866, this president proclaimed Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day
Who is Lyndon B. Johnson?
Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the this monument
What is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbolic grave for all service members who died in battle who have not been found or remain unidentified.