When Reconciliation Meets Holiday Shopping: The Unlikely Roots of Memorial Day The holiday we know today as Memorial Day was born out of a convergence of generosity, forgiveness, and imitation.
As the United States emerged from the Civil War's bitter ashes, former Union General John A. Logan seized upon an initiative originated by his Southern enemies.
This unlikely act of magnanimity would eventually spread across the country, shaping the fabric of our national holiday.