What is the difference between veterans day and memorial day

In , President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to recognize veterans of the two world wars. The intention is to celebrate all military veterans, living or dead, who have served the country, with an emphasis on thanking the people in our lives who have spent time in uniform for their service to this country.

Memorial Day is also a celebration of military veterans, but the mood is more somber. The occasion is reserved for those who died while serving their country.

The day was first observed in the wake of the Civil War, where local communities organized tributes around the gravesites of fallen soldiers. The observation was originally called Decoration Day because the graves were adorned with flowers.

It was originally held on May 30 because that date wasn't the anniversary for any battle in particular and all soldiers could be honored. The date was recognized by northern states, with southern states choosing different days.

After World War I, the day shifted from remembering the fallen in the Civil War to those who had perished in all of America's conflicts. Armed Forces and celebrate the people who served and the values Americans hold as a nation: duty, honor and civic responsibility.

The holidays, though they commemorate the sacrifices of thousands of American service members, are distinctly different. Memorial Day is the older of the two holidays, having its roots in the Civil War. John A. Logan, to honor those who died in the armed forces. Logan, later a U. With General Orders No. He also asked that the nation renew its pledge to assist the soldier's and sailor's widows and orphans. While it is true that every day is Memorial Day for the families of the fallen, they aren't asking that you stay inside and wallow.

What do you think our service members did before they died? Mike sure did enjoy his family and friends. What better way to honor them than to be surrounded by family and friends living. But we are also so grateful for your pause and reflection as you celebrate our heroes and the lives that they lived. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are different holidays with unique purposes -- and unique ways to honor each. Veterans Day is the day to tag all your people, posting photos with your brother in uniform or the selfie with your bestie before he or she deployed.

Veterans Day celebrates the living who served our country. Offer veterans a discount at your business. Call your favorite vet on the phone and thank him or her for their service. Attend a parade. Celebrate a veteran. Memorial Day is about remembering and honoring every single man and woman who has died for our freedoms -- men and women who were mommies and daddies, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, patriots, incredible Americans and really, really great friends.

You want to honor and celebrate patriotism and the military this Memorial Day? Then you have to honor the complicated feelings surrounding it. Express your knowledge that this day is about remembrance.