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May 30, 1868, First Decoration Day

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By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance is held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”
Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.
On the first Decoration Day, May 30, 1868, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried in the cemetery.




Also on May 30, 1806-
Future president Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel.

 
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