In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day to be a national legal holiday to be held on the last Monday in May. While it’s fun to go on picnics and campouts over the three-day weekend, children still need to be taught the true meaning of Memorial Day. Originally called Decoration Day, the holiday was set aside to remember those who died in our nation’s service, and to decorate the graves of the war dead with flags and flowers. Read about the history and traditions of Memorial Day at http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkmemorial.html
See also: Celebrating America’s Freedoms – a series of essays about the country’s most familiar symbols, customs, and observances, including Memorial Day.
