Decoration Day

or Memorial Day, a day set apart for the decoration of the graves of soldiers who fell in the Civil War, and for the holding of commemorative exercises. This observance originated in the Southern States. It was copied in the North. In 1868 General John A. Logan, then commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a general order setting aside the 30th of May for the purpose of strewing flowers on the graves of old soldiers and for such exercises as local posts may direct. In many of the states that date is made a legal holiday. Owing to the earlier appearance of flowers in the South, April 26th is set apart as Confederate Memorial Day by Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi, and May 10th by North and South Carolina. It is now customary, both North and South, to decorate the graves of soldiers regardless of the side on which they fought. Credit for this beautiful courtesy belongs to the women of the South. See Arbor Day; Holiday