Wichels, Ernest

May 31, 1964

Abstract: Decoration Day was made a fixed celebration on May 5, 1868, when Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan, of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a general order designating May 30, 1868, "for the purpose of strewing with flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country." Some 15 years later the G.A.R. asked that the name of this annual observance be changed to "Memorial Day," but here in 1964-about 80 years later-we still find many old timers calling it "Decoration Day."