Daily Calendar for Monday, May 26, 2025

The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origin of Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was first known, are unclear. In early rural America, this duty was usually performed in late summer and was an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, America’s need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent, as monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers’ graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.

No less than 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, and for many years, states observed the holiday on different dates. By federal law, however, Memorial Day is now celebrated on the last Monday in May. Since it all started with the Civil War, you might want to brush up on your knowledge of this event by visiting the Library of Congress Civil War collection, which includes more than a thousand photographs.

Learn more about Memorial Day here!

Born

  • Al Jolson (entertainer) –
  • John Wayne (actor) –
  • Jay Silverheels (actor who played Tonto” on The Lone Ranger TV series”) –
  • Peggy Lee (actress) –
  • Stevie Nicks (singer) –
  • Sally Ride (astronaut; first American woman in space) –
  • Richa Moorjani (actress) –
  • Julianna Rose Mauriello (actress) –
  • Micah Parsons (football player) –

Died

  • Victor Herbert (composer) –
  • Sydney Pollack (actor & director) –
  • Earle H. Hagen (composer; whistled the tune for The Andy Griffith Show) –
  • Art Linkletter (radio and television personality) –
  • Ray Liotta (actor ) –

Events

  • Smallpox epidemic in Boston, Massachusetts–
  • First public elevator at Eiffel Tower opened–
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average was published for the first time–
  • Archaeological Institute of America incorporated–
  • Boat of Pharaoh Cheops discovered near Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt–
  • The host of NBC’s Today Show, Dave Garroway, announced his plans to retire from the show–
  • Canada and the U.S. signed the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty–
  • Millions of frogs forced closure of Egnatia Highway in Greece–
  • For a few days beginning around this time, Galveston, Texas, shores had abnormally blue water due to a change in ocean current–

Weather

  • A tornado hit Oakwood, Ortonville, and Thomas, Michigan–
  • Long tornado—damage trail said to extend 293 miles—struck Mattoon and Charleston, Illinois, approximately $2 million in damages–
  • Tornado left 155-mile trail in central Illinois–

Explore Other Dates on the Calendar