Today is Memorial Day.

The first official Memorial Day was declared on May 5, 1886 by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, as a tribute to the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives during the Civil War. The first observation of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

By 1890, the day was recognized by all the northern states. The South had its own Memorial Day until after World War I when the day was changed from honoring just the Civil War dead to include all Americans who had died fighting in any war.

We continue to observe Memorial Day as an important reminder of the many men and women who died serving our country. Remembering the past and honoring the people who have gone before us is important in understanding our history and what makes us Americans. It is also important in understanding our faith.

When Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, they had an important job to do before they began conquering the land. God commanded the people to stop and build a memorial using 12 stones—one for each tribe of Israel. Why did God want them to spend the time doing that? Because he wanted the people to remember who was guiding them and who had brought them into the land. It was important for the people to remember.

We need to remember God too, throughout the day. You can build memorials to God in your day by taking time to pause and thank God for what he has done for you this day.

Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestor. (Deuteronomy 8:18).

To Do

Remember your relationship with God. Use a drawing, a Bible verse, or a visual cue (such as a certain tree or building that you see frequently) as a reminder to spend time with him.

Also on this day . . .

1884—Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented “flaked” cereal.

1907—The first taxis arrived in New York City.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.