Memorial Day History Lessons

Although your students may only view Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, it is also a day to celebrate the courage and sacrifices of those who have died for American unity and freedom.

Before releasing your students for a three-day weekend break or summer vacation, take time to remember why Americans commemorate their fallen soldiers.

History of Memorial Day Holiday

Memorial Day has been an official national holiday since 1868 when Army General John Logan, suggested that a yearly day of observance in which citizens would “(strew) with flowers or otherwise decorat(e) the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion…” so that Americans would never forget “the cost of a free and undivided republic.” In 1868 that “late rebellion” was, of course, the American Civil War, and the cost to which he referred were the estimated 618,000 Union and Confederate troops who died from battle wounds or illness.

In his memorable decree, General Logan further announced that Americans should,

“… at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. “

The defeated Southern States were initially reluctant to observe the national holiday, choosing instead to honor their dead in separate ceremonies. However, by the end of the First World War Americans were united in honoring fallen soldiers from all of its wars. Today Memorial Day is commemorated by parades, ceremonies, prayer, and, indeed, the laying of flags and flowers on soldier graves.

Class Discussion:

• Why do you think that the citizens of the Confederate states were initially reluctant to commemorate their soldiers on a day designated by the federal government?
• Why is it important for a country to have a special day of memory for fallen soldiers?
• How do people in your community recognize the holiday?
• What can individual Americans do to honor the lives and sacrifices of American soldiers?

Class Activities:

• Elementary or Preschool Activity: Make large handprint flags on rectangular pieces of white paper (butcher paper work well for this activity) with finger paints. Stars can be made with clusters of thumb prints on top of blue paint while stripes can be made with rows of blue and red hand prints. Class Management Tip: Lightly draw the general design (stars and stripes) on the paper in pencil before class. Display the flags in a local library, veteran's hospital, nursing home, church, or town office
• Middle School Activities: Ask students to interview and write biographies about American veterans. Follow up the activity with a library reading or work with a local paper to publish the essays.
• High School Students: Take students on a field trip to a local cemetery prior to the Memorial Day holiday with the purpose of laying flags or flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. If possible, coordinate the event with a Veteran's group whose members might be interested in working with the students. With permisison from the cemetery, allow students to make grave rubbings from the stones of fallen soldiers. Use quality paper and gold or black crayons or pastels. Frame and display the rubbings at a local library or town hall. Follow up by asking students to write poetry or journal on the experience.

Commemorate Sacrifice on Memorial Day

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