From all of us, here at SNOWMAN New York, we would like to say thank you to all the men and woman who laid down their lives, paying the ultimate price, for our freedom. On this last Monday of May, Memorial Day, you shall always be remembered for your sacrifice and we are deeply grateful. We would also like to honor and express our gratitude to their loved ones: spouses, parents, kids, siblings, and friends. There is really no adequate way to express our gratitude for the gift of freedom they have given us.  

It is unclear as to when and where this holiday originally started. Originally known as Decoration Day, a commemorative celebration of the soldiers who fell in America’s deadliest conflict: the American Civil War. It quite possibly sprung up in multiple communities independently roughly around the same time shortly after the Civil War.  In 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of the organization for Northern Civil War veterans, call for a nationwide day of remembrance. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

It was not until 1966 that the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.  Waterloo – which is a mere five hours drive from Manhattan, up by the Finger Lakes – was chosen as it has been hosting an annual, community-wide holiday to commemorate the fallen soldiers since May 5, 1865.

For decades, Memorial Day was observed on May 30, the date originally selected by General Logan for the first Decoration Day. It was not until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that the last Monday of May became the official day. This law first went into effect in 1971 and also gave it the name it bears till this day: Memorial Day.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States. Days are now longer, weather is finally warmer, and planting season has started. Soon schools will be out and everyone will be flocking to the beaches, lakes and mountains.  

At SNOWMAN New York, we all wish you a great Memorial Day weekend and start of summer, while we get busy preparing our newest collection for you to fall in love with once the weather gets colder again.  We look forward to sharing updates with you throughout the summer.  Thank you again to all the fallen, and to the rest of you: stay safe and healthy!