Memorial Day History. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. It's difficult to prove the origins of this day as over two dozen towns and cities lay claim to be the birthplace. In May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson stepped in and officially declared ...

During the 20th century, Memorial Day evolved as a permanent holiday on the calendar. What it entailed changed. It became a remembrance of all service personnel killed in war balanced by leisure, thus changing the attitude and changing conditions have left their mark on Memorial Day.

however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays. Some States Have Confederate Observances

What is Memorial Day? Memorial Day is a day of Remembrance. Originally called Decoration Day for over a century, this special holiday was changed to Memorial Day by federal law in the 1880's. Other names this day has been called; Memorial Day USA, Remembrance Memorial Day, US Memorial Day and others.