05/18/2026 General, Books & Autographs
With the 250th anniversary of the United States approaching, this Memorial Day carries a particular significance. As it is now observed, Memorial Day took shape in the years following the American Civil War. In 1868 John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11, officially establishing May 30th as “Decoration Day.” In Logan’s words, “The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.” Though tensions remained after the Civil War, Decoration Day saw both North and South, families and brothers-in-arms of the fallen, come together in commemorations to lay flowers on the graves of the dead in honor of their sacrifices.
The commemoration of Decoration Day, or as it came to be known, Memorial Day, continued through the late nineteenth and early twentieth century as an informal but widely observed patriotic holiday. Following World War I, its scope expanded to honor those who died in all American conflicts, reflecting the country’s growing role on the world stage. Further, the federal government formally recognized Memorial Day through legislative actions. On May 11th, 1950, Congress passed a joint resolution calling on President Truman to designate Memorial Day as one of “prayer for permanent peace,” a charge he affirmed in a formal presidential proclamation that has been echoed by subsequent presidents annually. By 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was enacted—effective in 1971—and designated Memorial Day a national holiday, moving it from May 30 to the last Monday in May.
From its post-Civil War beginnings to its formal recognition as a federal holiday, Memorial Day has evolved in scope, but not in purpose. It remains an impactful day of national observance, inviting us all to reflect and remember the individuals behind America’s history and sacrifices.
—Gabriel Flicker, Cataloguer
Books, Autographs & Maps
Image: An early representation of the American flag, from a 1784 German pocket almanac chronicling a detailed history of the American Revolutionary War. The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile. Auction June 25. Read More