The holiday started on May 30, 1868, when Union General John A. Logan declared the day an occasion to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. Twenty years later, the name was changed to Memorial Day. On May 11, 1950, Congress passed a resolution requesting that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971. Learn more about Memorial Day by watching the video below.

This year, to honor the men and women who died in all wars, students will listen to The Wall by Eve read with the magical voice of PV STorytime. After sharing the story each student will craft a “Heart Flag” to share and remember the fallen soldiers.