Decoration Day is a holiday that originated in the United States after the Civil War. It was established to honor and decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the conflict. The day is now commonly known as Memorial Day and is observed on the last Monday in May. Initially, communities would gather to place flowers and flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. Over time, the observance expanded to include all military personnel who have died in service to the country. Today, Memorial Day is marked by ceremonies, parades, and moments of remembrance across the nation.