Memorial Day

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Memorial Day Article

What is the history of Memorial Day?

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. After World War I, it came to be observed in honour of those who had died in all U.S. wars, and its name changed to Memorial Day.