Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History 

accessible at thejewishnews.com

102 | MAY 23 • 2024 
J
N

Remembering 
 Our Fallen Heroes
M

emorial Day. The annual holiday that falls on the last 
Monday in May. It is a day for family picnics and cook-
outs and, in Michigan and most of the U.S., it signals 
the beginning of the tourist season, which lasts until Labor Day. 
Memorial Day, however, is supposed to be much more than 
a federally mandated three-day weekend. It is the time when we 
remember and honor those men and women who 
died serving our nation in its armed forces, in all its 
conflicts, large and small. Not to be confused with 
Veteran’s Day, the day when we honor all who have 
served in America’s armed forces, Memorial Day com-
memorates all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their 
nation.
Whether as “Decoration Day” or “Memorial Day,” 
this holiday of remembrance has been celebrated every year in the Chronicle and JN 
since 1916. Indeed, nearly 2,000 pages in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit 
History mention Memorial Day; over 600 pages cite Decoration Day. For just four examples, see 
the items (1917-2016) included with this Looking Back.
It is also good to note that, in every conflict in which the United States was involved since the 
American Revolution, Jewish soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, Coast Guardsmen/women and 
Marines have fought for America’s well-being.
The origins of Memorial Day can be found in Decoration Day. On May 5, 1868, five years after 
the American Civil War, Gen. John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, a Union Army veteran’s organization, called for a national day of observance. This was 
initially meant to honor the estimated 600,000 or more Americans who died in the Civil War. It 
was subsequently expanded to include all conflicts in which Americans were engaged.
The idea soon spread across the nation. In 1871, Michigan became the first state to declare 
Decoration Day to be an official holiday. By 1890, every state had followed suit. 
In 1967, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday, and a year later, the Uniform Monday 
Holiday Act moved the traditional day for Memorial/Decoration Day — May 30 — to the last 
Monday in May, which formally made the holiday a three-day weekend.
Many nations have similar holidays. Canada holds a Memorial Day in conjunction with Canada 
Day every July 1, and a Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, the same day as America’s Veteran’s Day. 
England and France, for example, have a “Remembrance Day” or “Poppy Day.” These memorial 
days evolved from Armistice Day that commemorated the end of World War I at the 11th hour of 
the 11th day of the 11th month.
Israel’s annual Memorial Day, Yom HaZikaron, was held on May 12-13 this year. It is good to 
remember that many American Israelis and American Jews have fought and sacrificed for Israel. 
As of this writing, since Oct. 7, 20 “Lone Soldiers” from the U.S. and elsewhere, have died while 
serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.
So, as you cook-out or picnic with friends and family, take a moment to think about those who 
deserve our enduring thanks for giving their lives for our nation. Memorial Day is their day. Long 
may they be remembered. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN archives, available for free at thejewishnews.com.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

