Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of each May, honors those who died in service to our country.

The holiday, originally called “Decoration Day,” was first officially recognized in 1868 to honor Civil War soldiers and formally acknowledge the tradition of decorating fallen servicemembers’ headstones with flowers. The observance was expanded after World War I to honor those who died in all wars.

In 1971, it became an official federal holiday known as “Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day.” Today, Memorial Day honors all of the men and women who gave their lives to protect our nation.