Why Do We Celebrate Memorial Day? What's The Real?

The original name of Memorial Day is Decoration Day. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971. The holiday is used to visit cemeteries or memorials, hold family gatherings, and participate in parades.

This is a side note I'm still trying to figure out where does bike fest falls into the Memorial Day theme? How is that synonymous? It takes away from honoring the holiday by going to the beach to get lit, showing off cars and bikes getting drunk, turning up etc, in South Carolina. I digress.

How did people celebrate Memorial Day in the early years?

According to history.com, the Civil War which ended in the Spring of 1865 claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country's first national cemeteries.

It was our ancestors who fought in the Civil War so the South could become liberated. Did you know that The Civil War began when Southern Troops bombarded Fort Sumter, S.C. U.S. army officers refused to surrender their facilities to the growing southern military presence. President Lincoln attempted to resupply these garrisons with food and provisions by sea. The confederacy learned of Lincoln's plans and demanded that the forts surrender under threat of force when the U.S. soldiers refused, South Carolinians bombarded Fort Sumter in the center of Charleston Harbor.

The Confederate Armies surrendered to the United States in April 1865. More than 620,000 men died in the Civil War more than any other war in American history. The war bankrupted much of the South, it left it's road, farms, and factories in ruined and wiped out an entire generation of men who wore blue and grey.

One of the buildings in Atlanta Georgia, post Civil War

Where are we today?

Many battlefields have been developed turned into shopping malls, pizza parlors, housing developments, etc ( battlefield.org)

I view Memorial Day differently now because I’ve gained knowledge about the history and the Civil War. The Civil War has shaped our culture and the things we do today. The more knowledge you gain about our history the more intelligent you will become. Going forward I will view Memorial Day differently because our ancestors died trying to make a better life for their families and their generations.

The Southern states was the last to be liberated. To this day do you think we are still affected by some laws, and developments, etc? As a state how are we going to catch up with other states?

In closing , I ask that you gain a deeper understanding of The Civil War if you haven't already. This will give you a different perspective and maybe you can help change the mindset of others as to why we celebrate Memorial Day.

Thanks for stopping by, I'll talk to you soon.💚