Facts about Memorial Day

Did you know --- I know I did not --- that in 2000 Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. in an act of national unity.  The time was chosen because 3 p.m. "is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday."

Please help spread the word about this little known fact about Memorial Day and remember to remember those who defended our country and are no longer with us and those who are currently defending our country.


Now some additional facts courtesy of CNN.com:

It started with the Civil War.
General Logan made it official.
It was first known as Decoration Day.
The holiday is a franchise.
It was James Garfield's finest hour - or maybe hour-and-a-half.
Not even the Unknown Solider can avoid media scrutiny these days.
Vietnam vets go whole hog.
Memorial Day has its customs.
There is still a grey Memorial Day.
Each Memorial Day is a little different.

For more information and explanation about these facts, see Ten facts about Memorial Day on CNN.com., History Channel's Memorial Day page, and TIME NewsFeed's 7 things you didn't know about Memorial Day.