Memorial Day is a very important date in the United States and its purpose is to commemorate with honor the men and women who died in the service of the U.S. military.
This holiday originated in 1868 when Major John A. Logan issued General Order Number 11 to honor the more than 620,000 servicemen killed in the Civil War each May 30 by bringing flowers and flags to gravesites.
It was not until 1971 that a Federal Law was issued that moved the act to the last Monday of the month of May.
Today the celebration not only seeks to remember those who fell in the Civil War, but also those who died in other conflicts.
This day is a holiday and the population does not go to work, as well as schools and universities close their doors.
Americans go to the graves of fallen servicemen and put flags next to them. Normally, at 15.00h, a minute of silence to remember the fallen.
Some cities such as Washington, Chicago and New York organize parades in their streets. In addition, all flags are flown at half-mast for mourning.
Every year, in the Arlington National Cemeterywhere the remains of 20,000 Civil War soldiers lie, the president delivers a speech and places a floral arrangement on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldierwhich is a famous memorial to those who died in wartime actions but could not be identified.
