Marilyn Keesecker, regent of the Pack Horse Ford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, participated in the Memorial Day ceremony at Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town on Monday. Toni Milbourne

CHARLES TOWN — The Memorial Day holiday offered workers a three-day weekend once again this past Monday, providing a reason for families and friends to gather together for cookouts and to celebrate the unofficial start of the summer season.

But for many, the holiday remains, as it was meant to be, a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday originated in the years following the Civil War. It did not become an official federal holiday until 1971. The term “decoration day” came about, via the Grand Army of the Republic when Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared the day should be May 30, because the day near the end of May allowed for more flowers to decorate the graves.

The first large observance of the day was held in 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, where the ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

While this was the first official celebration of the day, local tributes had been happening in smaller locations around the nation. Cities across the country claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon, Ga., and Columbus, Ga., as well as Richmond, Va. claim the title.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y. to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, as a ceremony on May 5, 1966 was held there to honor local veterans who had fought in the Civil War.

In 1971, the holiday was officially declared a federal holiday, known as Memorial Day, although it was still often referred to as Decoration Day. It was at that time the holiday was changed from May 30 to the last Monday in May, allowing federal workers to have a three-day weekend.