Photo: deseretnews.com

By THE PULSE NEWS MEXICO STAFF    

In keeping with a tradition dating back to the end of the U.S. Civil War, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, along with members of American Legion’s Alan Seeger Post 2 and U.S. community here, will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 28, with a solemn ceremony at the Mexico City National Cemetery in Colonia San Rafael.

Memorial Day is a time when Americans honor the memory of those fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Memorial Day, which was originally known as Decoration Day, was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in accordance with an official proclamation by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1882, the name Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971, the date was declared a national holiday.

Today, it is traditionally celebrated throughout the United States on the last Monday in May, although many veteran organizations still prefer to honor U.S. military dead on May 30.