WBA NewsroomMemorial Day in the U.S. goes back to 1868, when it was always observed on May 30th, as a day to decorate the graves of the Civil War dead with flowers. Until 1967, it was called Decoration Day, although references to Memorial Day can be found as far back as 1882. In 1967 Congress changed the official name to Memorial Day, and the year after that, with passage of the Monday Holiday Bill, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May.
As you write scripts for Memorial Day, remember that it’s a day to honor dead veterans – those who lost their lives fighting for America. Veterans Day in November honors all veterans, but Memorial Day is for dead veterans. The flag is raised to full staff at sunrise, then lowered to half-staff until noon, when it is returned to full staff. Remember that it’s “staff”, not “mast”, unless the flagpole is aboard a ship.
Also, since the day honors the dead, civic observations including a march are appropriately called Memorial Day Processions, not parades.
There has been a trend to conflate Memorial Day with Veterans Day, but organizations like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars say that’s inappropriate, pointing out that Memorial Day is reserved to honor those who lost their lives in service to their nation.
Posted by Tim Morrissey