News

Cover Story

On HALO

2 weeks ago

Why we need a Memorial Day for civilian victims of war

Headstones and American flags are seen at the Arlington National Cemetery during the Memorial Day, which is held annually to honor those who died while serving in the armed forces. | Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The first observance of what came to be known as Memorial Day was on May 30, 1868, when a Civil War general called on Americans to commemorate the sacrifices of Union soldiers. It was initially called Decoration Day, for the practice of decorating graves with wreaths and flags. And there were so many graves — more than 300,000 men had died on the Union side, and...