Today in History: Memorial Day
Today in History–May 30–the Library of Congress features Memorial Day, first celebrated on this day in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried. Learn more about this national day of observance celebrating those who died in defense of the United States by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources.
Featured Image: Memorial Day (from Puck magazine)
Featured Image: Memorial Day, Honor the Brave
The Blue and the Grey: A Memorial Day Poem (audio)
Vision of War: Memorial Day speech (audio)
Memorial Day – Its Origin The Jasper News (Jasper, Mo.), 29 May 1919
More Memorial Day historical newspaper coverage
Library of Congress Memorial Day blog posts
- From Decoration Day to Memorial Day Picture This May 22, 2015
- Memorial Day In the Muse May 31, 2010
- Memorial Day, 2011 In Custodia Legis May 30, 2011
- Memorial Day and Our Oldest Vets Library of Congress Blog May 25, 2007
- Memorial Day’s Rolling Thunder Inside Adams May 27, 2011
- Memorials: Ways We Remember and Honor Teaching with the Library of Congress May 21, 2019
- Remembering Our Honored Dead: Memorial Day Traditions Teaching with the Library of Congress May 14, 2013