With the long holiday weekend coming up, ushering in the start of summer, I thought it might be interesting to share some things about Memorial Day of which most people might not be aware.  As we all know, the holiday is much more meaningful than just the celebratory BBQs, drinking and water activities.  Memorial Day is set aside to remember American soldiers who have lost their lives in wars foreign and domestic, celebrated on the final Monday in May.  But here are a few things you might not know about the holiday:

Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day

The holiday was created shortly after the American Civil War to honor those who died in the conflict, and soldiers would decorate the graves of the fallen with flags, wreaths and flowers. It wasn’t officially called Memorial Day until the 1880s.  For many years, the holiday was celebrated on May 30 every year, but was moved to the final Monday in May in 1971, as a result of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

It’s very likely that you will break the law on Memorial Day

Not necessarily by drinking and boating (although do avoid this)…but you will be breaking the law if you don’t pause at 3 pm on Monday to take part in the National Moment of Remembrance. Congress passed this law back in 2000, but it does not seem to be enforced.

Waterloo, NY is considered the birthplace of Memorial Day

According to the town’s website, in 1966 Congress unanimously passed a resolution to officially recognize Waterloo as the birthplace of the holiday. However, it remains a contentious debate, with other towns such as Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claiming the title of “Birthplace of Memorial Day” as well.