The Origins Of Memorial Day

1 minute read

Since 1971, Memorial Day has been a nationally recognized holiday; but what are its origins?

Besides all the traveling and barbecuing that has become a mainstay of this three-day-weekend, at its core Memorial Day is a direct response to the aftermath of the American Civil War, a callback to both sides decorating the graves of their dead.

Waterloo, N.Y. was named the birthplace of Memorial day, but many other towns still contest for that title to this day.

For more than 40 years, Memorial Day has been officially celebrated on the last Monday of May.

See 15 Mouthwatering BBQ Photos

BBQ Road Trip
Smoked pork hot link with collard greens and mac and cheese at Jim 'N Nicks Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Fried chicken at Husk in Charleston, S.C., named "Best New Restaurant in America" by Bon Appétit in 2011.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Catfish with a selection of sides (including large lima beans, fresh green beans, collard greens, boiled cabbage, fresh mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts) from the daily cafeteria menu at Niki's West in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Holeman & Finch Public House in Atlanta infamously serves only 24 burgers a night, at around 10 pm. Get there early; they almost always sell out.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
James Beard award-winning chef Sean Brock holding house-cured meat at McCrady's in Charleston, S.C.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Whole pig ready to be butchered at Husk in Charleston, S.C.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Smoked pork ribs with watermelon pickle at Cochon in New OrleansAndrew Hetherington
Menu display at Gus's Hot Dogs in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Hot dog on the griddle at Gus's in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
The finished product at Gus's in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
All 24 burgers on the griddle at the same time at Holeman & Finch Public House in Atlanta.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
House-cured meat at Star Provisions in Atlanta.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Bread for sandwiches and hamburgers at the soda fountain in Add Drug in Athens, Ga. The store is well known for the best-value lunch in town.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Crawfish boil on the banks of the Mississippi in New Orleans with chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski of Cochon restaurant. The crawfish are cooked with lemons, garlic, and salt, then tossed with Old Bay and Cajun spices before being dumped on a plastic table for eating.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Lemon meringue pie at Niki's West in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington

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