Photos: A historical look at Memorial Day across Minnesota
In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, designating the last Monday of May as a day to honor the country's fallen service members.
The roots of the day, however, stretch back a century before to the first years after the Civil War. Beginning in 1868, communities around the country celebrated Decoration Day on May 30 by placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
A historical look at Memorial Day across Minnesota
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