5 Patriotic Facts Every American Should Know, & Ideas for Decorating Your Porch for The Holiday🇺🇸
The Everyday home issue #17
5 Patriotic Facts Every American Should Know
1. Memorial Day includes a National Moment of Remembrance
The act asks all Americans to observe a national moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time on the afternoon of Memorial Day.
2. Poppies Are a Symbol of Memorial Day
Poppies have long been used to remember fallen soldiers after the bright red flowers began to bloom on World War I battlefields following the end of the war. Originally a symbol used to honor British soldiers who died in World War I, the flower also became associated with Memorial Day in 1915 when Moina Michael, a Georgia teacher and wartime volunteer, penned the poem "We Shall Keep the Faith" as part of a campaign to make poppies a national symbol of remembrance.
3. It Wasn’t a Federal Holiday Until 1971
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which proclaimed that Memorial Day would be celebrated on the last Monday each May and gave all federal employees the day off of work. But it wasn’t named an official federal holiday until 1971, more than 100 years after the end of the Civil War.
4. Flags Are to be Flown at Half-Mast Until Noon
You might think that the American flag should be flown at half-mast all day, but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs states that the flag should be flown at half-staff “from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.” This goes for all flags on government buildings, grounds, and naval vessels, as well as flags flown by private citizens.
5. Memorial Day vs. Veteran’s Day
Memorial Day is commonly mixed up with other military holidays observed in the United States. So, what’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Memorial Day observes those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, while Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, honors those who have served or are serving. Armed Forces Day (celebrated on the third Saturday in May) celebrates those who are currently serving in a branch of the military.
Creating A Patriotic Porch
When it comes to decorating your porch for any season I like to mix old, new and DIY. The old & new mixed just give a lived in look without filling too stiff and then once you add in the DIY part that just gives the space that personal touch. If your looking for a some creative ideas to get you going on decorating your porch for Memorial Day I went over to Pinterest and picked a few of my favorites to give you a little inspiration, (why did go to Pinterest and not just show you my porch, you ask? Because I'm running behind this year and I haven't started decorating my porch yet)!
On the above porch I love the chalkboard! I am such a big fan of decorating with chalkboards indoors and out. By adding just a few touches of red, white, and blue and this porch is now looking ready for Memorial Day!
I love the vintage or ole time vibe this porch is giving off! By just placing a couple of festive pillows on the bench and adding some flowers to this beach tote you have dressed this area for enjoyable space your guest are sure to enjoy. I think by adding the old time bike, patriotic sign the bright red flowers a long with the flag is what gives the porch a vintage look.
Now this space is just calling you to come sit and enjoy the day! I like to mix old and new items with decorating and I love the idea of adding baskets and pitchers to an outdoor space. If you have a covered porch adding baskets and filling them with greenery and flowers is a perfect way to add a cozy touch to your space and then by just adding a few small flags and you just created a beautiful display for the Memorial Day weekend! You can fill old pitchers and mason jars with greenery, and candles sit around your porch for a little add coziness!
If rustic is your style then I think you will love the porch below! This beautiful porch sure is making a statement! I love how this show that you can just add a few items to the space and now you have a whole new look! The aged or tea stained banner flags flanking the door cold make a statement all on their own but by adding the grapevine around the door you have now just crated a rustic display that is sure to draw the attention of everyone passing by.
Happy Decorating
