How Memorial Day Became a Holiday

How Memorial Day Became a Holiday

The Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, was one of the deadliest conflicts in American history. The war pitted the Union Army against the Confederate States of America and resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. Many military personnel lost their lives during this period, including soldiers who fought for both sides.

According to estimates by historians, approximately 620,000 soldiers died during the Civil War. Of these, about two-thirds died from disease rather than wounds sustained in battle. This was due to poor sanitation and inadequate medical care on both sides during the war.

The number of U.S. military deaths during the Civil War is staggering and serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of conflict.

Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States that is celebrated every year on the last Monday in May. It is an important day of remembrance for all those who have given their lives while serving in the military. The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the years following the American Civil War, which resulted in a staggering loss of life. It was initially referred to as Decoration Day and was meant to honor fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers.

The first known observance of Decoration Day happened on May 30th, 1868 when General John Logan proclaimed it as a day to decorate the graves of Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War I, Memorial Day became a day to honor all Americans who had died fighting for their country.

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