The origin of Memorial Day is often linked to Civil War servicemen deaths, though historians have found ties to earlier commemorations of the fallen in both the North and South. Known as Decoration Day from 1868 to 1970, observed every May 30 by the practice of placing flowers at gravesites of active military personnel killed during wartime, in 1971 the last Monday of May became the official federal Memorial Day (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day).
It’s a solemn coincidence that this year May 30 is the last Monday of the month.
In line with the linkage to the Civil War, here’s my list of top movies with the Civil War as backdrop:
Gone with the Wind
The Horse Soldiers
Harriet
Glory
The General
Cold Mountain
Friendly Persuasion
Red Badge of Courage
Lincoln
Shenandoah
