Alan Rock's Trivia

Q: When was Memorial Day first celebrated?  

A: Memorial day was first celebrated on May 30, 1868. It was observed by placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers during the first national celebration. Gen. James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which around 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.

Q:Why is Memorial Day celebrated on May 30? 

A: three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. This date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

Q: Who started the custom of wearing red poppies?  

A: In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem. She then came up with an idea of wearing red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.

Q: Why was Memorial Day first called “Decoration Day”?  

A: because of the practice of decorating soldier’s graves with flowers