The true beginnings of Memorial Day are difficult to trace. Many small towns were doing their own unique observation before officially declared by General John Logan on May 5, 1868. The day was first observed on May 30, 1868 by the laying of flowers on the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1873, New York officially recognized Memorial Day and by 1890, all of the northern states had followed suit. The southern states honored their dead on separate days until after WWI. At that time the holiday changed from a day to honor those who died in the Civil War to a day to honor all Americans who died in any war. Now Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. In 1915, Moina Michael began the tradition of wearing red poppies to honor those who died. The VFW still continues this effort. In 1971, Congress passed a bill establishing the last Monday in May as a federal holiday, therefore creating a three-day weekend. Read on for a selection of activities and reading material suitable for studying Memorial Day in your Montessori classroom.
