Finally, it's Memorial Day. I've needed a day off for a while. We gather around the grill and critique the designated chef's burger abilities ("I don't care if you think it ruins the meat; I want that patty well done, not medium rare!"). The little kids have been given sparklers and American flags and are running around the yard.

This holiday is the kickoff for summer vacation and these kids are eager to finish up their studies and book it to the pool. Frugal fasionistas are lining up outside of stores displaying their Memorial Day half-off sales in search of the perfect bikini and pair of sunglasses. It's a day of happiness and excitement for warmer weather.

Except for the families of fallen soldiers for whom this holiday was created.

It's Not Just a Day Off

This is a day for those whose loved ones have been lost protecting our right and comfort in shooting off loud fireworks, cooking those burgers, speaking freely with our families and friends, and shopping those rad sales. Not to be confused with Veterans Day, which is a day of reverence for all those who have served. Memorial Day is specifically those who have died in service.

Celebrating Memorial Day has been a tradition in our country for over one hundred years, but not many know when or how it was started. The holiday was originally created by a group of Union soldiers under the name "Decoration Day." They chose this holiday as a time to decorate the graves of lost soldiers from the Civil War, which was the bloodiest war in American history, costing more American lives during this time than any other American-involved war.

Everyone wants to be the "first" in something, and celebrating Memorial Day was no different. Whoever was given that coveted "first" title would be quite the patriotic community.There are several towns (including Macon, GA and Richmond, VA) along the East Coast claim to be the birthplace of this holiday, but in 1966, the official birthplace was set in Waterloo, New York. There was said to be a ceremony in 1866 where the community officially celebrated their Civil War veterans' graves with flowers and heartfelt speeches.

The first recognition of the official holiday was held at the most famous American soldier resting ground, Arlington National Cemetery. There were over 5,000 attendees visiting to honor their lost brothers and sisters. Just as we do today, they placed American flags on the graves of about 20,000 soldiers.

Centered on the Civil War

Until World War I, the holiday was specifically for Civil War soldiers lost on the battlefield. After the increasing amounts of bodies coming back to the homeland during the early 20th century, however, the holiday was expanded to include all American-involved wars.

By the 20th century, Union and Confederate sympathizers had had so many competing holidays for honoring their lost soldiers that the federal government created one official holiday to settle the score on a national level.

However, that didn't resolve the issue completely. Many Southern states still observe their own Memorial Days specifically for Confederate soldiers. For example, Texas celebrates a Confederate Heroes Day on January 19th and Virginia celebrates a similar holiday every last Monday in May as Confederate Memorial Day.

Memorializing Our Soldiers

Some classic symbols of Memorial Day, aside from those crazy "80 Percent Off Sale!" signs and copious amounts of hot dogs, were red poppies. Professor and humanitarian, Moina Michael was inspired to celebrate fallen soldiers on this day with red poppies from a poem in the early 1900s by John McCrae.

The poem talks of sleepless, dead soldiers amongst poppies in Flanders Fields. Michael decided to wear poppies in remembrance of these soldiers. The tradition spread (almost ironically) when foreign visitors took the idea back to their own countries to raise awareness and cultivate reverence for their own lost comrades.

So, whether you are arguing over burger temperatures, waving a flag while you watch the fireworks, fight for the best deal in a department store, simply enjoying your day off, remember the reason for this holiday. Remember the families decorating the graves of loved ones as we memorialize the bravery of our American soldiers lost to us in the name of freedom and justice for all.