How grieving women laid the groundwork for Memorial Day
All Americans asked to observe a momentum of silence at 3 p.m.
1864: Boalsburg, Pa. Women put flowers on the graves of their own Civil War dead (from the nearby battle of Gettysburg) and on other war dead in summer and fall. This is the start of their decorating the graves every year.
August 1868, Boalsburg chapter of GAR organized and takes responsibility for yearly observance.