There is some dispute on where the first Memorial Day – or Decoration Day – was observed, but it has been held to honor our nation’s fallen heroes since the 19th century.
RELATED: Reader submitted photos to Honor the Fallen
However, it wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, and moved to be celebrated annually on the last Monday in May. Find out the unique history of this All-American holiday.
And here’s a look at historical footage from the Department of Veterans Affairs: