Memorial Day

For non-American's here's a quick overview of what Memorial Day is all about.

Between the American Revolution and the current conflict in Iraq, more than 26 million men and women have served America in wartime. Nearly 900,000 of those who served never returned home. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving their nation.

Memorial Day traces its origins to the days following the Civil War, when many people from the North and South decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Decoration Day, as it was then known, was first observed officially on May 30, 1868, as can be heard on RUSC from 30th May 2005 in the Family Theater story entitled Unsung Hero. 

In 1882 its name was changed to Memorial Day and in 1971, President Nixon declared it a national holiday.

To commemorate Memorial Day I have included several appropriate shows to run over the next few days.

Happy Memorial Day,