Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-30
ORIGIN OF THE DAY
Which is Dedicated to the Memory of the
Soldier Dead.
The First Memorial Day Observance
Was Held I'm 1s0S-Thc Cere-
monies I'm This City.

The origin Of the observance of one day in
the year In memory Of those who gave their
lives to their country's cause is one full of
interest Next Wednesday, for the twenty
| sixth consecutive year, the ground sacred
| to the patriotic dead In various parts of the
country will be visited by their surviving
comrades and the general public and the
fresh blossoms Of spring will be strewn
upon the green sward that covers their
graves. This ceremony. so beautiful and
SO appropriate, and this day, which has
come to be looked upon as sacred to the
memory OF departed heroes, started with
what was practically a suggestion. In the
spring of 1868, three years after the close of
the war. and by the time the people were
just getting well settled in their new avo-
cations, and had opportunity to cast their
thoughts backward to the troublous days of
the past, the suggestion was made of hold
ing a national memorial day in honor of the
Union dead. The idea met with sponta-
reous approval and it seemed that a pop
ular chord of sympathy in the hearts of
people had been struck.
The first formal and official announce
ment of the day was made in the general
order issued by John A. Logan, commander
in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and dated from the Headquarters in this
city on May 5. 1865. The order informs
comrades that "the 30th day of May, 1868,
is designated for the purpose of strewing
flowers or otherwise decorating the graves
OF comrades who cied in the defense of
their country. In this observance" the
order stated, mo form of ceremony is pre-
scribed, but posts of comrades will, in their
own way, arrange such fitting services and
testimonials of respect circumstances
will permit" In conclusion, the order says
that lit Is the purpose of the commander
in-chief to inaugurate this observance with
the nope that IL be kept up from year TO
year while survivor of the war remains to
honor the memory Of his departed COM
rades."
The General Observance.
In response to this invitation. the day
was observed in twenty-seven states and
at 1s3 burial places. At the National GEN.
etery at Arlington Heights, where are
buried 1900 Union soldiers. the services
were specially touching and imposing. The
Grafton was delivered by Gen. James A
Garfield
In the following year still more extensive
preparations were made for observing the
day. In thirty-one states and in $3.50 cities
and towns appropriate ceremonies were
held The President and Mrs. Grant and
the members of the cabinet attended The
services at Arlington. In that year the
plan now in vogue of holding services al
all the cemeteries near this city had not
been adopted, and on the following
Sunday these cemeteries were visited and
flowers strewn upon the graves. With the
exception of. perhaps, more elaborate pro-
grams at the other cemeteries in this city
besides the one at Arlington, the observance
of the day here shows but little change in
the quarter of century past. The ap-
propriateness of such a celebration has
been recognized by Congress- and the 3Otr
OF May, dedicated to the memory of tbs
heroic dead. has been made a national holi.
day.