05/25/2026
Today is Memorial Day, an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “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. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.
Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I, the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.
This is a vest from the Osage culture of the Great Plains region of what is now the United States. It was made from 1910 to 1920 CE of wool, muslin, leather, silk, sequins, and glass beads. To stay cool in the summer heat, dancers often wear a vest instead of long-sleeved shirts. Made of broadcloth and decorated with intricate beaded designs and sequins, this vest represents a rich Osage tradition.
The American flag images on the waistband are a reminder that many tribal members serve in the US military.
Check out this vest and other objects from the Osage Nation at the Museum of Anthropology. Learn more about Memorial Day by visiting https://www.history.com/articles/memorial-day-history or by searching "Memorial Day" on history.com
