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- "Memorial Day, To day the thronging millions troop....." 1909 - Beginning in 1868, May 30 was proclaimed "Decoration Day" as a day for mourners to honor the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. After World War I, the observance became better known as Memorial Day, and it broadened to honor the dead of all America's wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971.
- 1908
- Collections - Artifact
"Memorial Day, To day the thronging millions troop....." 1909
Beginning in 1868, May 30 was proclaimed "Decoration Day" as a day for mourners to honor the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. After World War I, the observance became better known as Memorial Day, and it broadened to honor the dead of all America's wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971.
- Barnicoat Fire Association Memorial Day Ribbon, 1889 - Memorial Day began soon after the Civil War as a time to remember U.S. military service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. The idea spread to community service organizations--like local fire associations--who observed memorial days to honor fallen members. Dates for these memorial days were usually set to avoid conflicting with the national observance.
- 1889
- Collections - Artifact
Barnicoat Fire Association Memorial Day Ribbon, 1889
Memorial Day began soon after the Civil War as a time to remember U.S. military service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. The idea spread to community service organizations--like local fire associations--who observed memorial days to honor fallen members. Dates for these memorial days were usually set to avoid conflicting with the national observance.
- Memorial Day Parade in Canton, New York, 1944 -
- 1944
- Collections - Artifact
Memorial Day Parade in Canton, New York, 1944
- Memorial Paintings for Memorial Day - On the Memorial Day holiday, when our thoughts turn toward lost loved ones, memorial paintings give us insight into how Americans of the past remembered their friends and family.
- May 29, 2021
- Collections - article
Memorial Paintings for Memorial Day
On the Memorial Day holiday, when our thoughts turn toward lost loved ones, memorial paintings give us insight into how Americans of the past remembered their friends and family.
- Barnicoat Fire Association Boston, Memorial Day Ribbon, June 9, 1895 - Memorial Day began soon after the Civil War as a time to remember U.S. military service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. The idea spread to community service organizations--like local fire associations--who observed memorial days to honor fallen members. Dates for these memorial days were usually set to avoid conflicting with the national observance.
- June 09, 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Barnicoat Fire Association Boston, Memorial Day Ribbon, June 9, 1895
Memorial Day began soon after the Civil War as a time to remember U.S. military service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. The idea spread to community service organizations--like local fire associations--who observed memorial days to honor fallen members. Dates for these memorial days were usually set to avoid conflicting with the national observance.
- The Echo: A Music Journal, May 1888 -
- May 01, 1888
- Collections - Artifact
The Echo: A Music Journal, May 1888
- Memorial Day Gathering at Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, Maine, 1923-1925 - Beginning in 1868, May 30 was adopted as "Decoration Day," a day to honor the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. After World War I, the observance became better known as Memorial Day, and it was broadened to honor the dead of all America's wars. This photo shows people in Greenville, Maine, at a Memorial Day commemoration in the local cemetery.
- 1923-1925
- Collections - Artifact
Memorial Day Gathering at Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, Maine, 1923-1925
Beginning in 1868, May 30 was adopted as "Decoration Day," a day to honor the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. After World War I, the observance became better known as Memorial Day, and it was broadened to honor the dead of all America's wars. This photo shows people in Greenville, Maine, at a Memorial Day commemoration in the local cemetery.
- "In Memoriam, The flag of our nation, Long may it wave! A grateful ovation, O'er each hero's grave." circa 1906 - Beginning in 1868, May 30 was proclaimed "Decoration Day" as a day for mourners to honor the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. After World War I, the observance became better known as Memorial Day, and it broadened to honor the dead of all America's wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971.
- circa 1906
- Collections - Artifact
"In Memoriam, The flag of our nation, Long may it wave! A grateful ovation, O'er each hero's grave." circa 1906
Beginning in 1868, May 30 was proclaimed "Decoration Day" as a day for mourners to honor the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. After World War I, the observance became better known as Memorial Day, and it broadened to honor the dead of all America's wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971.
- Crowd on North St. Watching Memorial Day Parade, May 23, 1992 -
- May 23, 1992
- Collections - Artifact
Crowd on North St. Watching Memorial Day Parade, May 23, 1992
- Memorial Day Through the Years - Americans first started celebrating Memorial Day in the wake of the Civil War. Since then, the holiday has evolved, although many of the traditions still exist today. These artifacts from the collections of The Henry Ford help tell the story of Memorial Day, then and now.
- May 25, 2021
- Collections - Set
Memorial Day Through the Years
Americans first started celebrating Memorial Day in the wake of the Civil War. Since then, the holiday has evolved, although many of the traditions still exist today. These artifacts from the collections of The Henry Ford help tell the story of Memorial Day, then and now.