Decoration Day

noun

Examples of Decoration Day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s little controversy over the first national observance of what was then called Decoration Day. Ben Finley, Anchorage Daily News, 26 May 2023 Originally known as Decoration Day, the annual remembrance first focused on Civil War and Spanish-American War veterans before expanding to all veterans through the 20th century. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2023 Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a time of remembrance for those who died in service to their country. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 29 May 2023 Once anointed as Decoration Day — and commemorated as a federal holiday in 1971 — the long-standing tradition of memorializing those killed while serving in the U.S. military got its origin from the Civil War. Kye Graves, The Arizona Republic, 26 May 2023 On May 5, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, the tradition of placing flowers on veterans’ graves was continued by the establishment of Decoration Day by an organization of Union veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic. Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023 Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, has been a federal holiday since 1971. The Enquirer, 26 May 2023 On May 30, 1868, a group of Union veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), organized the first major Decoration Day and declared that it should be celebrated annually on the same date. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 30 May 2022 Originally known as Decoration Day, the national observance began in May 1868 to honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War. Carol Kovach, cleveland, 24 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Decoration Day.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the custom of decorating graves on this day

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Decoration Day was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near Decoration Day

Cite this Entry

“Decoration Day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Decoration%20Day. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Decoration Day

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on Decoration Day

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!