The holiday’s origins can be traced to the American Civil War, which killed more than 600,000 service members — both Union and Confederate — between 1861 and 1865.

What is Memorial Day and how has it evolved from its Civil War origins? by: The Associated Press, Ben Finley. Posted: May 21, 2025 / 03:23 PM EDT. Updated: May 21, 2025 / 03:23 PM EDT.

Dennis said Memorial Day’s potency diminished somewhat with the addition of Armistice Day, which marked World War I’s end on Nov. 11, 1918. Armistice Day became a national holiday by 1938 and ...