Memorial Day is a special holiday that commemorates those who have died serving the United States of America. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971, but has been celebrated as early as the late 1860s as “Decoration Day”.

Over the years, Memorial Day traditions have evolved and emblems like the red poppy have become a part of the iconography of this day. The origin of the red poppy’s symbolism is the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae which was published in 1915; reciting the poem has become a tradition in many Memorial Day services.*

This year, Memorial Day coincides with the reopening of a lot of states and the end of the school year. With the real estate market in full swing and the busyness 

 

In Flanders Fields

    By John McCrae

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
 
Source:*https://www.history.com/news/world-war-i-poppy-remembrance-symbol-veterans-day

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