Memorial Day seems to be the unofficial start of summer. Many use this time of year to celebrate outdoors and embrace the change of season. The time of year fits perfectly as Memorial Day was once known as Decoration Day.
The Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day as a way to honor the war dead with flowers on their graves and said it should be recognized on May 30th every year as flowers will be blooming across the country. What a beautiful way to pay tribute and embrace this season!
Congress recognized Decoration Day as a federal holiday in 1938 and officially changed the name to Memorial Day in 1967. The Uniform Holidays Bill of 1968 moved the date to the last Monday in May. The change went into effect in 1971.
Memorial Day is celebrated throughout the Hudson Valley. There are numerous events to take part in and many local ceremonies of remembrance. While many will be breaking out the grill and enjoying a long weekend take a moment to notice the flowers and remember their symbolic meaning this time of year.
