The Birthplace of Memorial Day Is Right Here In New York
Several US towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, but only one has a Presidential proclamation as the birthplace of the holiday.
As you celebrate the start of Summer this weekend, I am sure you will also be taking some time on Memorial Day to reflect and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. It turn's out the tradition of honoring America's fallen heroes started in Waterloo, New York.
Waterloo lies about halfway between Syracuse and Rochester, and the town began commemorating our fallen heroes on Memorial Day back in 1866. When President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Memorial Day a National Holiday in 1966, he recognized Waterloo as the birthplace of the tradition.
Now, there are other towns who claim to be the birthplace as well. You can read more about them in the New York Times article.
This is why i lobe moving to new areas. You learn cool historical facts like this one, and it feels really good living in the birth state of such a noble holiday.
All debates aside of where the holiday originated, it's nice to see that honoring of our heroes was rooted in MANY places across the country. It shows a common thread among Americans. One of appreciation across generations and regions of the brave men and women who have kept us free.
God Bless the USA.