History of Memorial Day Meaning of Memorial Day. Amid the barbecuing, beach trips, blockbuster movie releases, and other unofficial start of summer hoopla, it can be easy to forget what Memorial Day is actually all about. Observed on the last Monday of May, youre probably aware that the holiday honors the men and women who have died while serving in the U. S. military. But how much do you actually know about the holiday and its origins Here, weve rounded up a few Memorial Day facts that you might not have known Advertisement Continue Reading Below. The observance, which began in the years following the Civil War, was originally known as Decoration Day. By the late 1. 86. Americans had begun hosting tributes to the wars fallen soldiers by decorating their graves and with flowers and flags. It gradually came to be known as Memorial Day over the years. It was Union General John A. Logan who called for an official nationwide day of remembrance on May 3. Meant to honor those lost in the Civil War, the southern states originally observed a different day to honor the Confederate soldiers who died. In the aftermath of World War I, the holiday evolved to commemorate fallen military personnel in all wars. Currently, 1. 1 states still set an official day to honor those who lost their lives fighting for the ConfederacyVirginia is the only one that observes Confederate Memorial Day on the same day as Memorial Day. Healthy Chicken Pot Pie. Getty Images. 3. In 1. Congress passed a resolution requesting that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace. In 1. 96. 8, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, in order to create a three day weekend for federal employees. But Memorial Day didnt actually become an official federal holiday until 1. President Bill Clinton signed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2. Americans to pause and observe a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 0. A number of organizations throughout the country observe this moment, including Amtrak whose trains blast their whistles, Major League Baseball, and NASCAR. Cities across the country host Memorial Day parades, but some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York, and, of course, Washington D. C. In D. C., the National Memorial Day Parade hosts an audience exceeding 2. Constitution Avenue. Getty Images. 6. The President requests that all governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico direct the flag to be flown at half staff until noon on Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels. U. S. citizens are asked to display the flag at half staff from their homes before noon, as well. RELATED How to Properly Display the American Flag. Find Memorial Day recipes, videos, and ideas from Food Network. These simple Memorial Day Weekend grilling recipes will help you ease back into the season. The fantastic recipes are perfect for Memorial Day cookouts and events. Burgers and hot dogs are great, but its the sides and salads that make cookouts extra special. From Cilantro Lime Sweet Corn to Minted Cucumber Salad, y.