Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. It's a day of reflection and remeberence, when many visit graves and war monuments. It's also a day of picnics and family barbeques, a chance to appreciate our freedoms which were bought with the blood of brave men and women.