Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, originated in the years following the Civil War and became a federal holiday in 1971. In the Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, more lives were lost than any other conflict in the U.S. history. This required the establishment of the first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, many Americans across the country showed respect to fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. They also brought the American flag and recited prayers.

This holiday originally honored only the victims of the Civil War, but after the involvement of United States in World War I, it evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. This Memorial Day let's celebrate by remembering a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt "Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility."