Contrary to popular belief and the rampant consumerism present nowadays in America, Memorial Day is not actually about what “good deals” might be happening at particular stores. Discounts and deals are great, and believe me, as a college student I’m all about saving money, but it’s pretty ironic that we take holidays that should remind us of gratitude and thanksgiving and turn them into an excuse to purchase more things for ourselves. Memorial Day was created to remember the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives for this country.

“Decoration Day,” as it was originally called, began after the civil war in remembrance of those who had been lost in the war. It became a national holiday in 1868. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared to be a federal holiday that would be celebrated the last Monday of every May.