Tomorrow is Memorial Day in America, a legal holiday meant to honor members of our armed forces who have died fighting in our nation’s wars, large and small. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by Gen. John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.It was first observed on May 30, 1868 by placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1873, New York became the first state to officially recognize Memorial Day.