Man on the Street: Memorial Day Trivia

Question: Memorial Day originally had a different name. What was it?

Kim and Thomas Speer
“Service Day.”

Kate and Voijtek Budzynski
“Soldiers Day.”

Mike Harwood
“Armistice Day.”

Nancy Jenkins
“Something to do with cemeteries.”

Mark Maxfield
“Decoration Day.”

Peggie Perryman
“All Saints Day.”

And the correct answer is ... Decoration Day. It was first observed May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It was named Decoration Day after the process of decorating the fallen soldiers' graves.