Closed for Memorial Day and a History Bit

All six locations of the Des Moines Public Library are closed today in observation of Memorial Day. 

Direct quotes from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs Memorial Day page:

"In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events."  "In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays."

So it's a very old holiday and a fairly new holiday.  Have a good one.