by New American Prophet, ©2026
(May 20, 2026) — Memorial Day originated in the aftermath of the American Civil War as a way to honor the soldiers who died in that conflict. In 1868, General John A. Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation calling for the decoration of Union soldiers’ graves on May 30, which became known as Decoration Day. Many Southern communities had already been observing similar traditions earlier, but the national observance spread from there. Over time, it expanded to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, and in 1971 it was officially established as a federal holiday on the last Monday in May.
Its main purpose is to remember and pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, typically observed with cemetery visits, flags at half-staff, parades, and moments of silence.
New American Prophet
An anti-war song for Memorial Day?
I’d rather this song.