Inspired by the centuries-old tradition of decorating graves with flowers, Memorial Day has its beginnings in the aftermath of the Civil War. Today, the observance takes place on the last Monday in May to honor those who have died during military service.
The History of Memorial Day
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army Republic (an organization of Union veterans) issued General Orders No. 11, designating May 30 as a day “of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves” of soldiers who were killed during the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, the date was chosen to ensure the availability of “the choicest flowers of springtime.”
New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a holiday in 1873. All Union states followed suit by 1890. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 to designate the last Monday in May as Memorial Day, calling on the people of the United States to remember fallen soldiers and pray for permanent peace. It officially went into effect in 1971.
Madison Memorial Day Events
- Avenue of Flags — This annual event held at Sunset Memory Gardens is a display of thousands of US flags lining drives and grave sites.
- Monona Memorial Day Parade — The annual celebration is hosted by VFW Post 7591 and brings together local organizations to honor fallen veterans.
- Solemn Pride Memorial Day 2024 — The annual event is held at Forest Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of many local veterans. The event kicks off with a performance by the VFW Band.
- Memorial Day Concert in Cambridge — Sponsored by the Cambridge Lions Club, this concert will feature food, drinks, a parade, and local musicians.
- Brat Fest — While not exactly a Memorial Day celebration, you can’t have a Memorial Day weekend in Madison without Brat Fest. The annual event brings dozens of live performers to town for 3 days of music, carnival rides, and of course, brats.
