Inspired by the centuries-old tradition of decorating graves with flowers, Memorial Day had 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.
Las Vegas Memorial Day Weekend Events
Thursday, May 21
- 🇺🇲 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at Police Memorial Park | 7 p.m. | Lone Mountain
Friday, May 22
- 🇺🇲Volunteer Placing of Flags at Woodlawn Cemetery | 7-11 a.m. | Las Vegas Blvd. & Owens
Saturday, May 23
- 🇺🇲 Patriotic Parade at Skye Canyon Park | 9 a.m. | Skye Canyon
- 🇺🇲 Memorial Day Flag Placement at Boulder City Municipal Cemetery | 9 a.m. | Boulder City
- 🇺🇲 Fallen Heroes Commemorative Ceremony at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetery | 10 - 11 a.m. | Henderson
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day)
- 🇺🇲 Field of Honor Ceremony at Cornerstone Park | 9 a.m. | Henderson
- 🇺🇲 Memorial Day Ceremony at Lake Sahara South Park | 9:30 a.m. | The Lakes
- 🇺🇲 Memorial Day Service of Remembrance at Woodlawn Cemetery | 9:30 a.m. | Las Vegas Blvd. & Owens
- 🇺🇲 Southern Highlands Memorial Day at Olympia Sports Park | 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Southern Highlands
