Photo Gallery: Thirteen Presidents Mark Memorial Day

  • Hoover at Valley Forge 1931

    President Herbert Hoover makes a Memorial Day address at Valley Forge, 1931.

    1 of 13
  • FDR at 1942 Memorial Day Parade

    President Franklin Delano Roosevelt reviewing the 1942 Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.

    2 of 13
  • Harry S. Truman at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    President Dwight D. Eisenhower participates in the ceremonies for the interment of the Unknowns of World War II and Korea, 1958.

    3 of 13
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower participates in the ceremonies

    President Harry S. Truman speaking at Memorial Day services at the Amphitheatre of Arlington National Cemetery, 1948.

    4 of 13
  • John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetary

    A bugler plays during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery attended by President John F. Kennedy, 1961.

    5 of 13
  • Lyndon B. Johnson stands with military officers

    President Lyndon Baines Johnson stands with military officers at the laying of the Memorial Day Wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 1966.

    6 of 13
  • Richard Nixon awarding Colonel Otho W. Humphries

    Then-Congressman Richard Nixon delivers a Memorial Day address at Golden Gate National Cemetery

    7 of 13
  • Gerald R. Ford at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    President Gerald R. Ford at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 1976.

    8 of 13
  • Prayer for Peace Proclamation for Memorial Day by Jimmy Carter

    Prayer for Peace Proclamation for Memorial Day 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.

    9 of 13
  • Ronald Reagan speaking during a Memorial Day Service

    President Ronald Reagan speaking during a Memorial Day Service in honor of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, 1982

    10 of 13
  • George and Barbara Bush and family attend the Memorial Day Parade

    President George and First Lady Barbara Bush and family attend the Memorial Day Parade in Kennebunkport, Maine, 1990.

    11 of 13
  • William J. Clinton delivering remarks on Memorial Day

    President William J. Clinton delivering remarks at Memorial Day proceedings at Arlington National Cemetery, 2000.

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  • George W. Bush stands with U.S. Army Major General Guy Swan

    President George W. Bush stands for a moment of silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 2006.

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Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day -- a time set aside to honor fallen soldiers of the Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers.  The first Decoration Day was observed on May 30, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War. On that day, the largest known ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington D.C.. 

Over time, people adopted the name Memorial Day, and ceremonies were held across the country to honor all U.S. soldiers who had died at war.  On May 11, 1950, Congress issued a joint resolution requesting that the President proclaim a “Prayer for Peace” on each Memorial Day.  In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be held on the last Monday of every May. 

This Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who have served our country. Here is a selection of Memorial Day photos and speeches from the holdings of the Presidential Libraries of the U.S. National Archives. For more information, visit: http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/

View the full-size gallery

Jeannie Chen is the Social Media Coordinator for the Office of Presidential Libraries at the National Archives
Related Topics: Veterans, Maine
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