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Home > Washington DC Memorial Day
Washington DC Memorial DayThe American tradition of Memorial Day began more than 100 years ago. It was at the end of a brutal war, a war in which brother fought brother and the best of friends became the worst of enemies. It was the Civil War, one of the worst wars ever fought by the people of this nation, and it was fought on our own soil. At the end of this war, family members of the many soldiers slain in battle would visit the grave sites of their fallen relatives or friends and decorate their graves with flowers. On May 5, 1868, General John Logan proclaimed this day a holiday through his General Order no. 11. The day was entitled Decoration Day. Decoration day was first observed on May 30, 1868. The northern states celebrated this day every year, but the southern states celebrated a day similar to this on a different day until sometime after World War I. In 1882, the name Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday of May every year. The modern celebration of Memorial Day is similar to the original celebration, but today we have expanded upon the original idea. Today, Memorial Day is a time of the year when people come together to honor their close friends or relatives who have died. It is still very much about honoring America's fallen soldiers, such as in gatherings at places like the Arlington National Cemetary in Arlington, Virginia to visit such moving memorial tributes such as the tomb of the unknown soldier, which represents "everyman" who with bold patriotism layed down their life for this country. But in addition to this, Memorial Day is about celebrating all people, all of our ancestors and forefathers who have created the world we live in today, who have paved the long road we walk down into the future. It is a day to celebrate and thank all these people who died to create what we have today. Many people travel to the graves of their dead relatives or friends in cemetaries around the country to decorate their graves on this national holiday. This day of memorial is something engrained in our culture, and in — every culture of the world — a tribute, to honor the people who embodied the dreams and the passionate fire of an entire country.
Memorial Day Event Calendar
Looking for somewhere to celebrate Memorial Day besides down on the Mall in Washington DC? Find out where all the ceremonies, concerts, fairs, parties, and other great events in the Washington DC area by visiting our Memorial Day Events Calendar. Click on a date below and you will be taken to event listings for that day.
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Memorial Day - Fun Gifts for the Family
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Memorial Day - The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers
The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., is also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, DC. On March 4, 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater.
Memorial Day - Vietnam Memorial Wall
Designed by Yale student Maya Ying Lin, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built to honor the memory of those who served in the Vietnam War. Over 58,000 names are etched in the black granite Memorial whose walls point towards the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
Memorial Day - Vietnam and Motorcycles - Rolling Thunder
It always rains on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in DC, or so it seems. And the weather forecast said that this year would be no different from years past - rain was expected. But when so many had traveled so far to make the pilgrimage over the Memorial Bridge, past the US Capitol, and on to the Vietnam Memorial, a little rain in the forecast was not going to dissuade any of the 250,000 motorcyclists expected for this annual event. Surprisingly, despite the cool temperatures, the gloomy forecast, and the overcast skies, it did not rain on those who participated in Rolling Thunder this year.
Patriotic poetry and writings dedicated to Memorial Day.
Faith
Images help us remember special days and events. Come along on our journey as we capture memorable times and places in our Photo Galleries.
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Memorial Day Parade
US veterans marched at the Memorial Day parade held in Washington DC. Thousands of US veterans and citizens participated the parade to commemorate the Memorial Day which came on the last Monday of each May. The nine-block march along Independence Avenue featured bands, floats, vintage automobiles and vintage servicemen. |
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World War II Memorial Dedication Ceremony
President George Walker Bush joined former Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush and William Jefferson Clinton, Bob Dole, Tom Hanks, Tom Brokaw, General P. X. Kelley, dignataries, hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans and their families to officially dedicate the granite and bronze World War II Memorial on the National Mall May 29, 2004. |
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Memorial Day Ceremony
The gift of flowers honors the beauty and the brevity of life and evoke memories of other days. President Bush paid tribute at a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to members of America's military who died in combat. The President placed a beautiful red, white, and blue wreath in front of the tomb of unknowns. |
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Memorial Day in Washington - Rolling Thunder, 2003
Rolling Thunder was held to pay respect and honor towards the brave Americans that have served and gave the ultimate sacrifice for America and the world. Operation Rolling Thunder (also known as the "Rolling Thunder Program" was the code name for a U.S. military campaign during the Vietnam War, the bombing of North Vietnam by air units of the U.S. Seventh Air Force, Task Force 77, and the South Vietnamese Air Force. Rolling Thunder was the first of three sustained bombing campaigns against North Vietnam, followed in 1972 by Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II. |
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Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates US men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.
Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 pm Washington time. Another tradition is to fly the US flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a US flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national Click it or ticket campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The USAF "101 Critical days of summer" also begin on this day as well. Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen. Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day." Hawaii's Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, has repeatedly introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its traditional day since 1998. |
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