How did Memorial Day come into existence in America?
Memorial Day came into existence because people wanted to remember those who died bravely.  It was originally called Decoration Day. It came into prominence as a result of community groups in the South who set aside a day to decorate the graves of dead Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War.  The practice grew to include Union soldiers as well.  While lots of communities lay claim to having begun the observance of a Decoration Day, it was not until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that the official birthplace of Memorial Day observances would be Waterloo, NY, in commemoration of the first national observance on May 5th 1866.  In 1868, due to the efforts of General John A. Logan, who led a prominent veterans’ organization, a proclamation was issued that Decoration Day should become a nationwide celebration on May 30th.  At that first national celebration, flowers were laid on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
In time, Decoration Day came to be celebrated in almost every state. The observance was expanded to honor and remember all American soldiers who died serving their country. Some southern states, however, still honor their Confederate War dead separately.

Here are some of the trivia that you can make into questions
Decoration Day became Memorial Day officially in 1967.

It was declared a national holiday in 1971, and

it is celebrated on the last Monday in May.

It is one of three holidays (the others are Washington’s Birthday, now Presidents Day and Veterans Day) that are shifted from their actual date to a specified Monday.  This adds up to a long weekend.
Why was May 30th selected to celebrate Memorial Day?
Some have said that May 30 was selected because flowers would be in bloom throughout the country.  Other sources note that May 30 is not associated with any battle.

How do we celebrate Memorial Day?
The traditional American Memorial Day celebration featured parades, flags flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, speeches, visits to national cemeteries to place flags on the graves of the fallen.  The VFW sold poppies for people to wear.  At 3 p.m. local time, the nation is asked to pause for a moment of silence.  This is known as the Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance.   After Memorial Day was folded into a long weekend, the celebrations became less aimed at remembering our war dead and more geared to family events – picnics, barbecues, festivals and sporting events.  The Indianapolis 500 has been held on Memorial Day weekend since 1911.  The holiday is thought of as the beginning of summer.
There are several nationally televised events, which seek to restore the dignity and solemnity of Memorial Day. The change in the tone of this holiday has become a source of concern for veterans groups, who feel that the picnic-like atmosphere has detracted from the historical intent of the day.

May 30, 1868 saw the birth of the “Decoration Day” with friends, relatives as well as Civil War comrades-in-arms decorating the Union and Confederate soldiers’ graves with flowers at the Arlington National Cemetery. Subsequent to World War I, this day was renamed Memorial Day and came to be observed as a day to commemorate those who served the US military in any of the wars. Memorial Day activities in New England constitute parades or the different commemoration ceremonies held on the last Monday, in the month of May every year. In the year 2010, the Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31.

The weekend preceding the Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to the vacation season or the summer travel for the people of the United States. During this weekend every year, highways remain busy, trains, planes and buses are filled to the brim and if you plan to travel to New England during this time, it is strongly advised that you make prior reservations for lodgings and transportations. Weather can be unpredictable – you might experience warm and sunny or hot and humid weather or it can even be cold, raw and chilly.

Memorial Day weekend spots in New England are quite a lot and you will be almost spoilt for choice. Destinations in this area to look out for include Hyannis, MA, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Newport, RI, Old Lyme, Conn, Bristol, RI, and Boston, MA, to name a few. You will find many resorts planning up several events and activities to make your Memorial Day weekend an enjoyable and a fruitful one. While remembering those people as well as the events of the past, which have influenced our lives, you may take part in such planned activities like fireworks, scenic airplane rides, carnival events and many more such options.

You will find a blend of the old and the new in Boston, MA. The Freedom Trail of the yesteryears will lead to the ancient Italian neighborhoods and also you will have modern upscale shopping and dining experiences at Newbury Street or the Beacon Hill.

Boston, MA provides different activities for you to indulge in and have a fun filled day that will give you everlasting memories. Among the different Memorial Day activities in New England, special mention must be made of this city where large number of events are usually lined up to offer you a fabulous time. The Memorial Day Parade features various bands, floats as well as veterans for you to pay tribute to them. You can also take part in the Boston’s Run to Remember that honors the law enforcing members who gave up their lives for duty. You may also pay a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts or be thoroughly entertained by the Street Performer Festival. There are several other activities as well; these are just a few examples. Head to New England in the Memorial Day weekend to catch up with the unending array of activities and drown in the festive spirit.