Decoration Day was established following a proclamation by John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization. The observance was initiated in response to the immense loss of life during the Civil War, which left thousands of soldiers buried in unmarked graves far from home. The first official observation took place on May 30, 1868, and Logan selected this date as it was not the anniversary of a battle, enabling a national day of mourning without additional sorrow from recent conflicts. During the observance, ceremonies were held across various locations in the United States, where communities gathered to place flowers on the graves of those who had fallen in military service.

The event featured memorial speeches, music, and the decoration of graves, underscoring the shared sense of loss and the need to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. While Decoration Day initially focused on Union soldiers, over time it evolved to include all American war casualties, reflecting a growing national consciousness about honor and remembrance. The grass-roots nature of the observance saw varying customs and practices across different communities, contributing to its rich traditions over subsequent years.

Ultimately, Decoration Day laid the foundation for what is now known as Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, a federal holiday dedicated to honoring the fallen military service members of the United States. This significant transition from a single-day observance to a wider national holiday exemplifies the evolving collective memory of war and its consequences, as societies seek to commemorate those who served and died in defense of their nation.