Message #2065139

[varoadking]

I remember having the 30th off in school   ....   back to the 50s.     Used to be "Decoration Day".    On that day, there'd be a parade with a ceremony at the local WWI memorial.    Then head to the pool where they threw a wreath into the pool in remembrance of those lost at sea.

The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882. Memorial Day did not become the more common name until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. ... The law took effect at the federal level in 1971.