Testing your knowledge of Memorial Day

As has been our practice on some of the more we turn significant over our historical editorial dates space on to the give calendar, readers a chance to test their knowledge. This time the quiz takes a look at the history and traditions surrounding Memorial Day. Be forewarned, it is a tough one and promises to help us all learn a bit more. While most questions focus on the solemn history of the day, we also have a couple of fun entries about its dual function as the start of the cookout season. The answers are at the end. No peeking!

1 The commander of the Grand Army of the Republic issued a proclamation in 1868 declaring May 30 as a day to place flowers on the graves of Union Civil War dead. What did he call it?

A: Memorial Day B: Remembrance Days C: Heroes Day D: Decoration Day

2 Which state first made Memorial Day a legal holiday in 1873? A: New Hampshire B: New York

C: New Jersey D: Rhode Island

3 Gen. Ulysses Grant attended the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in 1868. Which future president spoke for over an hour and a half that day?

A. James Garfield B. Grover Cleveland C. William McKinley D. Theodore Roosevelt

4 A longstanding Memorial Day tradition is the placing of a special wreath in Arlington National Cemetery. Where is this touching ceremony held?

A: The Eternal Flame at President Kennedy’s grave B: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier C: Arlington House D: The USS Maine Memorial

5 Another Memorial Day tradition is Operation Rolling Thunder. Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists, many of them military veterans, ride into Washington, D.C., for the

annual demonstration. What year did it begin?

A: 1968 B: 1978 C: 1988 D: 1998

6 According to custom, how is the U.S. flag to be flown on Memorial Day?

A: At full staff B: At half staff C: At half staff until noon, then raised to full staff until sunset D: Alternated hourly

7 Memorial Day 1922 (which was still observed on May 30 then) was chosen for the dedication of what famous landmark?

A: The Golden Gate Bridge B: Mount Rushmore C: The Gateway Arch in St. Louis D: The Lincoln Memorial

8 Congress eventually passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, with Memorial Day observed on the last Monday in May starting in what year?

A: 1949 B: 1960 C: 1971 D: 1982

9 It’s estimated what percentage of Americans will have a cookout during Memorial Day weekend?

A: 62% B: 75% C: 81% D: 99%

10 Finally, hot dogs are a favorite food at those cookouts. How many frankfurters do Americans consume every second between Memorial Day and Labor Day?

A: 123 B: 356 C: 550 D: 818

Our thanks to J. Mark Powell, a historical novelist and former broadcast journalist. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

ANSWERS: 1-D, 2-B, 3-A, 4-B, 5-C, 6-C, 7-D, 8-C, 9-A, 10-D