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WASHINGTON, -- Most U.S. adults admit they don't know Memorial Day is to honor those who died fighting the nation's wars, a survey indicates.
A survey, commissioned by The National WWII Museum in Washington, indicates 46 percent say they knew something about the holiday, 31 percent say they knew a little about it and 3 percent say they knew nothing. Only 20 percent say they are very familiar with the day's purpose.
In response, the museum has created the Web site featuring 10 ways to honor those who have fallen in service of their country.
"The site offers ideas for all," Gordon H. Mueller, president and chief executive officer of the museum, said in a statement.
"A family can visit a military site, or an individual can read a book about WWII history."
Monday, May 30, the museum will commemorate Memorial Day with a series of events featuring veterans from World War II to Afghanistan, and at 3 p.m., the museum will participate in the National Moment of Remembrance.
While there is disagreement on the exact details on how Memorial Day originated, decorating graves -- the day was originally called Decoration Day -- was widespread in the North and the South after the Civil War. Eventually, Memorial Day -- May 30 -- became a day honoring all of the nation's fallen, and in 1971 the date was moved from from May 30 to the last Monday in May.
A survey, commissioned by The National WWII Museum in Washington, indicates 46 percent say they knew something about the holiday, 31 percent say they knew a little about it and 3 percent say they knew nothing. Only 20 percent say they are very familiar with the day's purpose.
In response, the museum has created the Web site featuring 10 ways to honor those who have fallen in service of their country.
"The site offers ideas for all," Gordon H. Mueller, president and chief executive officer of the museum, said in a statement.
"A family can visit a military site, or an individual can read a book about WWII history."
Monday, May 30, the museum will commemorate Memorial Day with a series of events featuring veterans from World War II to Afghanistan, and at 3 p.m., the museum will participate in the National Moment of Remembrance.
While there is disagreement on the exact details on how Memorial Day originated, decorating graves -- the day was originally called Decoration Day -- was widespread in the North and the South after the Civil War. Eventually, Memorial Day -- May 30 -- became a day honoring all of the nation's fallen, and in 1971 the date was moved from from May 30 to the last Monday in May.
