Pour One Out for Memorial Day in Logan Circle!

John A Logan, of our namesake Logan Circle (nee Idaho Circle) is credited for being one of the first to call for a national Decoration Day, now called Memorial Day to honor fallen Union soldiers from the Civil War.

On May 5, 1868, as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (a veterans' organization) Logan issued a proclamation that Decoration Day be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was NOT the anniversary of a battle. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day.

On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May.

Some organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, advocate returning to the fixed May 30 date. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

On Memorial Day 2008, please pause for a moment and remember the U.S. men and women who have died in military service to our country. And if you just happen to be passing through Logan Circle, don't forget to pour one out for our homie, John A Logan who had the vision and influence to create what has become a treasured national holiday.




















Historical context provided by Wikipedia.

Pour one out photos originally published here.