Memorial Day Resources

cc licensed photo from Julia Folsom

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. The holiday was first celebrated in 1868 when Union General John Logan called for a day on which to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was gradually expanded to honor the fallen soldiers of all wars and became official in 1971 when the Uniform Holidays Act set its official date as the last Monday in May.

To learn more about Memorial Day, try the following resources:

• The Great Unknowns (New York Times)
• History of Memorial Day (History Channel)