To: Mo1
I just had a horrible thought.
What if we don't really have real lives, but we're living in a huge simulacrum of real life?
*Bzzzt*
We are sorry to inform you that unit "Darksheare" has been neutralized for inefficient thinking.
446 posted on
05/25/2003 10:43:06 AM PDT by
Darksheare
(Nox aeternus en pax.)
To: Darksheare; All
History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30,1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
An 1880 Memorial Day parade
on Riverside Drive in New York City.
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, 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 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloowhich had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
A Memorial Day at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier.
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
447 posted on
05/25/2003 11:21:11 AM PDT by
lodwick
To: Darksheare
What if we don't really have real lives, but we're living in a huge simulacrum of real life? Dude ... stop thinking so much .. life is to short as it is
454 posted on
05/25/2003 3:44:15 PM PDT by
Mo1
(I'm a monthly Donor .. You can be one too!)
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson