city_hall

Official websites use .boston.gov

A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Notes from the Archives: In 1868, Americans commemorated the first Memorial Day

On May 30, 1868, Americans observed the country’s first Memorial Day.

After the Civil War, local veterans organizations in both the North and South began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. In 1868, General John Logan, of the Grand Army of the Republic, the veterans organization of the Union Army, called for a national “Decoration Day,” dedicated to honoring and commemorating deceased soldiers. May 30 was chosen because flowers were in bloom, making it easy to decorate soldiers’ graves.

Veterans organizations were an important part of American cultural and political life following the Civil War.  More than three million men enlisted and fought in the Civil War. Veterans organizations provided emotional support and camaraderie for veterans, and advocated for legislation and policies, such as soldiers' pensions.  In Massachusetts, veterans of the Union Army joined the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which had posts in almost every Massachusetts town. You can see sample pages from the 1892 directory of the GAR below.

Image for tumblr oqkdwshuvj1rrufk0o1 1280

Image for tumblr oqkdwshuvj1rrufk0o2 1280

In Boston, the GAR took the lead in organizing Memorial Day activities. At the City Archives, our files about Memorial Day document the GAR’s heavy involvement in organizing Memorial Day commemorations.  The 1891 Memorial Day Program below shows that many of Boston's Memorial Day events were led by GAR posts.

Image for tumblr norh9t606x1rrufk0o3 1280

In 1891, the Charlestown Post of the Massachusetts GAR decorated the Soldiers and Sailors Monument as well as graves at Holy Cross Cemetery. They also paid for music and an orator for one of the City's memorial services. The letter below shows the funds that they put aside for Memorial Day commemorations

Image for tumblr norh9t606x1rrufk0o1 1280

How will you commemorate Memorial Day this year?

  • Last updated:
  • Last updated:
Back to top