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emorial Day was
called Decoration
Day when it started as a
day to honor the nation's
Civil War dead by
decorating their graves.
After the Civil War,
people across America
started a tradition of
setting one day a year
aside to decorate the
graves of fallen soldiers.
On May 30, 1868,
General James Garfield
made a speech at
Arlington National Cem-
etery. After the speech,
thousands of people who
came to
hear him decorated
the graves of more
than 20,000 Union and
Confederate soldiers
buried there.
After World War I,
Decoration Day was
expanded to remember
those who had died in
all American wars.
In 1971, Congress
declared Memorial Day
a national holiday to be
celebrated the last
Monday in May.
oday a flag is placed
on each grave at
Arlington National Cem-
etery. The president or
the vice president gives a
speech and lays
a wreath at the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier.
final resting places
to retain an idea in the memory
ground where dead are buried
someone who serves in the
military
the first day of the working week
to make something more
attractive
great respect and admiration
a day set aside sometimes to
commemorate something
a talk given to an audience
monument to the dead
a long established custom
for special or future use
A GREAT CLASSROOM
CRAFT: Paint terra-cotta
flower pots, coffee cans, jars
and other containers in stars
and stripes. Then, plant some
flowers in them and deliver
them to a local veterans
hospital or to neighbors who
have lost a family member
serving our country.
www.kidscoop.com © Vicki Whiting May 2021
Official Kids Mag
