For many, Memorial Day is a three-day weekend that serves as the ceremonial start to summer. Many D.C. area residents flock to the beaches in Delaware and Maryland to spend some lazy time in the sun.
But the history of Memorial Day in D.C. goes much further back than your annual beach house rental tradition. It reaches back as far as 1868, when General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30 of that year to be "Decoration Day," for, in his words, "the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion."
That first Decoration Day the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers were covered with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery. Notable American politicians, like Congressman and future President James A. Garfield, gave speeches to a large crowd at the cemetery amphitheater.
We've put together a slideshow of the history of Memorial Day in D.C., dating back to that first "Decoration Day" -- story continues below:
Celebration of the first official Decoration Day at Arlington Cemetery -- By J. F. Jarvis, May 30, 1868
Stereograph shows President Ulysses Grant and General John Logan seated at flag-draped reviewing stand. At the time Grant was only a presidential candidate. On the back of the photograph, it is written that future President, and, at the time, Congressman James A. Garfield was also in attendance. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day.
President Woodrow Wilson speaks at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day -- by Harris & Ewing, May 1917
President Calvin Coolidge at Decoration Day ceremonies, Arlington -- May 30, 1925
Massachussetts senator pays tribute to America's war dead at Arlington National Cemetery -- by Harris & Ewing, May 30, 1938
Sen. David I. Walsh of Massachusetts delivering the principal address to the thousands gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to honor America's war dead.
Greenbelt, Md. Town Manager Roy Braden gives Memorial Day speech -- By Marjory Collins, May 1942
On the platform with Braden are members of the town womens' club.
Washington, D.C. Memorial Day parade -- by Royden Dixon, May 1942
Parade marching down Constitution Avenue.
President Franklin Roosevelt reviewing the Memorial Day parade, Washington D.C. -- by Royden Dixon, May 1942
Flower vendors at the gate of the Congressional Cemetery on Memorial Day -- by Joseph A. Horne, May 1943
The Congressional Cemetery in Southeast D.C. was established in 1807 and is the only "cemetery of national memory" founded before the Civil War. Over 65,000 people are buried there.
Spectators in the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery -- by Esther Bubley, May 1943
Apparently Memorial Day in 1943 was a wet one as onlookers opened their umbrellas to avoid being pelted by rain.
Memorial Day, Vietnam memorial, Washington, D.C. -- by Carol M. Highsmith, May 29, 2006
President Bill Clinton at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery -- May 29, 2000
U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) prays after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, 29 May, 2000, during Memorial Day celebrations. During his Memorial Day speech, President Clinton announced new talks with North Korea to search for US soldier missing in action during the Korean War.
President Barack Obama at Arlington National Cemetery Amphiteater -- May 28, 2012
President Barack Obama, right, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, center, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, stand during the singing of the National Anthem at the Memorial Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
"Memorial Day" became the common name of the holiday in 1882, but was only officially designated in 1967. By 1971, Memorial Day was moved from May 30 to the last Monday in the month of May.
Since that first holiday, Memorial Day celebrations in the District have evolved: a full parade marches down Constitution Avenue, Rolling Thunder motorcyclists drive through the city as atribute to American war heroes and the National Memorial Day Concert by the National Symphony Orchestra on the Capitol West lawn are marked changes.
And don't forget to check out our guide to Memorial Day events going on around D.C. this year and our guide to the best Memorial Day food around the District.
Rolling Thunder 2012
A Marine salutes as motorcycles drive past during the annual Rolling Thunder parade ahead of Memorial Day in Washington, Sunday, May 27, 2012.
Rolling Thunder 2012
People watch as motorcyclists ride down Constitution Avenue during Rolling Thunder May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The 25th annual Rolling Thunder rumbled into town to show support for veterans past and present, those who have fallen in war and those who are missing in action. It's expected nearly one million riders will be here through Memorial Day.
Rolling Thunder 2012
Motorcycles drive from the Memorial Bridge during the annual Rolling Thunder parade ahead of Memorial Day in Washington, Sunday, May 27, 2012.
Rolling Thunder 2012
People watch as motorcyclists ride down Constitution Avenue during Rolling Thunder 2012 May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The 25th annual Rolling Thunder rumbled into town to show support for veterans past and present, those who have fallen in war and those who are missing in action. It's expected nearly one million riders will be here through Memorial Day.
Rolling Thunder 2012
People watch as motorcyclists ride down Constitution Avenue during Rolling Thunder May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The 25th annual Rolling Thunder rumbled into town to show support for veterans past and present, those who have fallen in war and those who are missing in action. It's expected nearly one million riders will be here through Memorial Day.
Rolling Thunder 2012
People watch as motorcyclists ride down Constitution Avenue during Rolling Thunder May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The 25th annual Rolling Thunder rumbled into town to show support for veterans past and present, those who have fallen in war and those who are missing in action. It's expected nearly one million riders will be here through Memorial Day.
Rolling Thunder 2012
A motorcyclists rides past the US Capitol during Rolling Thunder 2012 on May 27, 2012, in Washington, DC. On the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, motorcyclists and others participated in the annual event riding from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Memorial to pay homage to the US military fallen and those who served.
Rolling Thunder 2012
Donna Street holds up inflatable soldiers while watching Rolling Thunder ride into the city May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. On the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, motorcyclists and others participated in the annual event riding from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Memorial to pay homage to the US military fallen and those who served.
Rolling Thunder 2012
Motorcyclists ride down Constitution Avenue during the Rolling Thunder 2012 May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. On the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, motorcyclists and others participated in the annual event riding from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Memorial to pay homage to the US military fallen and those who served.
Rolling Thunder 2012
Audience members bow their heads in prayer during the annual Rolling Thunder event on the National Mall ahead of Memorial Day in Washington, D.C., Sunday, May 27, 2012.
Rolling Thunder 2012
A motorcyclist rides past the National Archives during the Rolling Thunder 2012 May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. On the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, motorcyclists and others participated in the annual event riding from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Memorial to pay homage to the US military fallen and those who served.
Rolling Thunder 2012
People watch as motorcycles pass during the Rolling Thunder 2012 May 27, 2012, in Washington, D.C. On the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, motorcyclists and others participated in the annual event riding from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Memorial to pay homage to the US military fallen and those who served.
Memorial Day 2012
A bouquet of flowers in a can wrapped in a photo is seen as visitors pause along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Monday, May 28, 2012, on Memorial Day in Washington.
Memorial Day 2012
The Vietnam War Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2012
Vietnam veteran Verlin Maglitz of Jacksonville, Ill., takes a rubbing of those he fought with in Vietnam during his visit to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Maglitz was in the Army and served in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division and plans to take rubbings of approximately 45 of his friends.
Memorial Day 2012
Richard Evans of the American Legion Post 24 places a wreath at a memorial to the nurses who served in Vietnam May 28, 2012 at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. People around the United States celebrate Memorial Day to honor veterans and those members of the US military who have fallen in past and present wars.
Memorial Day 2012
The Army 1st Infantry Monument, located off 17th Street NW and State Place, on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2012
The Army 1st Infantry Monument, located off 17th Street NW and State Place, on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2012
The Army 1st Infantry Monument, located off 17th Street NW and State Place, on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2012
The Army 2nd Infantry Monument, located off Constitution Avenue NW near the Ellipse.
Memorial Day 2012
The Army 2nd Infantry Monument, located off Constitution Avenue NW near the Ellipse.
Memorial Day 2012
The Army 2nd Infantry Monument, located off Constitution Avenue NW near the Ellipse.
Memorial Day 2012
The National World War II Memorial on Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2012
The National World Ward II Memorial on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2012
The National World War II Memorial on Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2012
The National World War II Memorial On Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2012
The District of Columbia War Memorial on Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2012
The Korean War Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day
Memorial Day 2012
The Korean War Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2012
The Korean War Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/23/memorial-day-in-dc_n_3321066.html
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