History of Memorial Day
World War 2
- World War 2 took place between 1939 to 1945.
- The war was fought as a "total war", meaning all resources a country had were used in the war.
fact
- 30 of the 43 Presidents served in the Army, 24 during time of war,
- President Washington and President Eisenhower earned the rank of 5-star General
- President Theodore Roosevelt earned the Medal of Honor
What is Memorial Day About
- Memorial Day started as an event to honor soldiers, who had died during the American Civil War.
- After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.
World War 1
- World War I began on June 28, 1914.
- A primary cause of World War 1 was a difference over foreign policy.
- The Americans joined World War 1 after 128 Americans were killed by a German submarine.
More facts
The total known land area occupied by US bases and facilities is 15,654 square miles — bigger than Washington DC, Massachusetts, and New Jersey combined
how can we honor soldiers
- You can go to your town’s Memorial Day parade, send a heartfelt letter of thanks, or volunteer your time in honor of those who have served.