Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday that honors military personnel who died while serving. The tradition began after the Civil War and was first known as Decoration Day, when people decorated soldiers’ graves with flowers and said prayers. At that time, it only honored those killed in the Civil War.
After World War I, the holiday expanded to include Americans who died in all wars. For many years, it was observed on May 30th, the date of the first official Decoration Day.
In 1968, the U.S. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May to give people a long weekend. The change became official in 1971, when Memorial Day was also declared a federal holiday.
Although traditions have changed, the holiday’s purpose remains the same: to remember and honor those who gave their lives in military service.
Vocabulary:
• federal (adj): relating to the national government
• freedom (noun): the state of being free and not controlled
• decorate (verb): to add something to make a place look nicer
• grave (noun): the place where someone is buried
• ceremony (noun): a formal event to mark a special occasion
• evolve (verb): to change or develop over time
• observe (verb): to celebrate or mark an event
• commemorate (verb): to remember and show respect
• aftermath (noun): the result or consequence of an event, especially something bad
• uniform (adj): always the same; consistent
• designate (verb): to officially assign or name
• tradition (noun): a custom or belief that is passed down
• service (noun): work or duty performed for one’s country
Source: WCNC