May 30th

May 30th was Memorial Day (or Decoration Day) for over 100 years. According to the Library of Congress:

In 1868, Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General Order Number 11 designating May 30 as a memorial day “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.”

The first national celebration of the holiday took place May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery … Originally known as Decoration Day, at the turn of the century it was designated as Memorial Day. In many American towns, the day is celebrated with a parade. …

In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended it to honor all soldiers who died in American wars. A few states continue to celebrate Memorial Day on May 30.

Jeanne d’Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431. She was 19.

Keir Dullea is 75. Michael J. Pollard is 72. Pollard was nominated for the best supporting actor Oscar for his performance in Bonnie and Clyde.

Gayle Sayers is 68, Wynonna Judd is 47 and Manny Ramirez is 39.

Cee-Lo Green is 37 today.

Mel Blanc (1908) and Benny Goodman (1909) were born on May 30th.

The first Indianapolis 500 was 100 years ago today (1911). Such a big deal when I was young; such just another day at the car races today.

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on May 30th in 1922.

One thought on “May 30th”

  1. There’s an even earlier occurrence:

    But for the earliest and most remarkable Memorial Day, we must return to where the war began. By the spring of 1865, after a long siege and prolonged bombardment, the beautiful port city of Charleston, S.C., lay in ruin and occupied by Union troops. Among the first soldiers to enter and march up Meeting Street singing liberation songs was the 21st United States Colored Infantry; their commander accepted the city’s official surrender.

    Much more, and an incredible story, here.

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