FIRST, THE HISTORY
Memorial Day, initially known as Decoration Day, is a federal holiday in the United
States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died in service of the armed forces. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. Since 1971, it is observed on the last Monday of May.
Many volunteers place flags on the graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also unofficially considered the first day of summer.
The first national observance of the holiday was on May 30, 1868. It was initiated by Commander in Chief John A. Logan. It was to only honor Union soldiers who had perished in the Civil War. However, the National Cemetery Administration (a division of the Department of Veteran Affairs) promoted the idea of “strewing the graves of Civil War soldiers – Union and Confederate” with flowers.
Mary Ann Williams, of Baldwin County, Georgia, is credited with the idea of decorating the graves of all Civil War soldiers. She regularly visited the grave of her husband and was persuaded by her daughter to extend this honor to others as well. Mary Ann was a member of the Soldiers Aid Society and was able to promote Decoration Day by a letter writing campaign, initially throughout the South and eventually through the northern states as well.
But, the South and North still honored the graves of their soldiers in different ways. In 1873, New York officially recognized the holiday. By 1890, all other northern states had joined New York. The southern states didn’t participate nationally until after World War 1. At that time, the holiday was no longer considered to apply only to Civil War soldiers, but to all American soldiers who died in any war.
In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field”, Moina Michael replied with her own poem
“We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields that valor led.
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies”.
SALE ITEMS
Memorial Day, including the preceding weekend, is one of those holidays when we are most likely to see many discounts on lots of store items. As an affiliate marketer, one of my duties is to promote sale items.
As an Amazon affiliate, I like to use their links when they run holiday specials. Like all affiliate marketers, I may earn from promoting the links. See my upper menu – BECOME AN AFFILIATE MARKETER-for information on how this works.
The links will show detailed information, prices, reviews, pictures and suggestions for other similar goods. Sports and outdoors will be the category.
- Women’s high waist yoga pants – 23% off
- Inflatable paddle board, with accessories – 15% off
- Callaway Supersoft golf balls – 12% off
- Women’s wirefree sports bra – 26% off
- Multi functional power rack – 15% off
- Men’s quick dry swim trunks – 53% off
- Patio mosquito repellent – 25% off
- Women’s biker shorts – 47% off
- Women’s short sleeve scoop necked crochet top – 24% off
- Outdoor camping canopy tent – 15% off
- Under desk treadmill – 36% off
- Electric scooter for adults – 49% off
- Electric mountain bike for adults – 15% off
- Water shoes for men or women – 10% off
- Inflatable pool float mats (2) – 13% off
- Bushnell golf range finder – 13% off
- Snorkel diving mask for kids – 20% off
- Adjustable workout bench – 41% off
- Garmin outdoor adventure smartwatch – 25% off
- Massage gun – 47% off
- Beach tent – 16% off
- Women’s high neck bikini sets – 15% off
- Eucalyptus insect repellent – 35% off
- Women’s cargo hiking pants – 15 % off
- Women’s swimsuit beach cover up – 27% off
- Oversized beach blanket – 50% off
- Women’s lightweight running shorts with phone pocket – 15% off
- Women’s scalloped one piece swimsuit – 20% off
- Pull up resistance bands – 34% off
- Hydro flask 24 0z. stainless steel water bottle – 25% off
FINAL THOUGHTS
Check out my two links at the side of my website – Dick’s Sporting Goods and Bullworker Fitness. They are both also running Memorial Day specials. Click on the red links.
Summer is upon us. Be careful in the heat. Stay hydrated and enjoy the warm weather!
