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| Memorial Day Oakland Cemetery Tallahassee 1987 Florida State Archives Deborah Thomas |
By Jane Feehan
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868. The Civil War had ended in April 1965; the day was set aside to honor those who died in service to the Union.
Originally called Decoration Day (in reference to use of flowers at graves), it was not designated a federal holiday until 1971. By then, many
cities and states were already honoring the fallen in service to our country.
Early Miami and Fort Lauderdale were no exception, though news accounts do not detail remembrance activities in Fort Lauderdale until after 1924.
Following are snippets of Memorial Day observances in Miami,
Fort Lauderdale and Washington—or lack thereof— during 1924, 1934, 1944 and 1954.
Most churches held their own solemn ceremonies widely publicized in local newspapers. For decades, most cities held parades. Notes below point to contrasts or comparisons to today’s commemorations.
Miami 1924 – The American Legion sponsored a seaplane flight to scatter flowers over Biscayne Bay for Memorial Day. Four women, all civic notables, boarded a plane piloted by veteran A.B Chalk (of Chalk Airlines) to throw flowers on bay waters.
Washington, D.C. 1924 – U. S. Representative Sol Bloom (D-NY)
introduced a bill May 31,1924 to penalize those who ignore the United States flag
on Memorial Day (and probably other national holidays). He was furious with those
who ignored the colors flown at a Washington, D.C. parade the day before.
Miami 1924 – Cars were offered to pick up disabled veterans for a Memorial Day parade that year. Vets could then participate in the parade sitting in a car or take a place along the route.
Miami 1934 – 1,500 residents were expected to join a
Memorial Day two-header to honor the fallen and to hear the “biggest array of
political speakers so far assembled” that year for campaigns for U.S senator,
and county and city election hopefuls.
Fort Lauderdale 1934 – the city’s Memorial Day parade
was among the best to date that year. Servicemen were stationed at the “harbor
entrance” and at the U.S. Coast Guard base. About 300 marines and a Coast Guard
unit marched in a parade from the Elk’s Club downtown to Stranahan Park blocks
away. They stopped at the New River for a maritime gun salute for the fallen and for the American Legion members to play taps.
Fort Lauderdale 1934 - The Fort Lauderdale Daily News suspended
publication for Memorial Day. Closure of other businesses was to be determined by the
merchants committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
Fort Lauderdale 1934 – Chamber of Commerce announced
all businesses except grocers would close in observance of Memorial Day. Schools
in Fort Lauderdale, Dania and Pompano announced their closures for the day.
Fort Lauderdale 1944 – Broward County courthouse
remained open. A jailer and deputy sheriff were on duty in the event of any holiday
misdoings.The tax office was also open because it was the last day to pay property
taxes to avoid auction sales. Judge Boyd H. Anderson and Frank Tuppen, assistant
juvenile officer, remained on hand in case of trouble. Otherwise, Memorial
Day would serve as a catch-up-on-work day.
Washington, D.C. 1944 - Chairman Donald M. Nelson of
the War Production Board called “upon all plants engaged in war output” to schedule and operate a full working day on
Memorial Day.
Fort Lauderdale 1954 – Not yet a national holiday, Memorial
Day was a day off for all federal, Broward County and city of Fort Lauderdale
employees, except for Tax Receiver Herman Weeks office. The last day to
pay 1953 taxes fell on Memorial Day.
Miami 1954 – ABC WQAM transmitted President
Eisenhower’s Memorial Day remarks at 1 p.m.
2024
City sources
Events in South Florida
See City of Fort Lauderdale
City of Pompano Beach
City of Miami Beach
City of Miami
Sources:
The Miami Herald, May 31, 1924
The Miami News, May 28, 1924
The Miami Herald, May 22i Beach, 1934
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, May 24, 1934
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, May 25, 1934
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, May
29, 1934
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, May 31, 1944
The Miami Herald, May 26, 1944
The Miami Herald, May 23, 1954
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, May 29, 1954
The Miami Herald, May 31, 1954
Fort Lauderdale Daily News, May 31, 1934
Tags: Memorial Day 2024, Fort Lauderdale history, Miami
history, Memorial Day 1924, 1934, 1944 and 1954
