ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Here are 10 fast facts about Memorial Day, a holiday honoring
American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country:
• Even though numerous communities had been independently celebrating Memorial
Day for years,the
federal government declared Waterloo, N.Y. the
official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo first celebrated the holiday on
May 5, 1866.
• Even though Memorial Day began as a holiday honoring Union soldiers, some
states still have Confederate observances. Mississippi celebrates
Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth
Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on
May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration
Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day on Jan. 19 and Virginia calls the
last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.