Why Memorial Day wasn’t always on a Monday.

Daisies gathered for Decoration Day, May 30, 1899. Image Courtesy Library of Congress.

Memorial Day hasn’t always been held on the last Monday of May. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was held on the fixed date of May 30th. 

In 1868, General John Logan called for a nationwide day of remembrance on May 30th to commemorate the soldiers who had died in the Civil War. For one hundred years Memorial Day was held on May 30th regardless of the day of the week.

It’s believed that General Logan chose May 30th because he wanted to avoid any day that might coincide with a specific battle, and none of the Civil War battles occurred on that date.

In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in order to give federal employees a three day weekend. Some believe the move diminished the importance of Memorial Day because it became more known as the start of summer than as a day of remembrance. 

Veterans groups have long lobbied for a return to the fixed date of May 30th. Their cause was championed by the late Hawaiian Senator Inouye, a WWII Veteran, who for more than 20 years reintroduced legislation at the start of every Congressional term calling for a move back to May 30th.

We hope everyone not only had a chance to celebrate the start of summer, but also to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.