The Civil War origins of Memorial Day

This weekend, Americans will dedicate a day to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in defense of their country: Memorial Day. Although the federal holiday was officially established in 1968, its origins date back more than 160 years to the Civil War. During this time, a grieving nation sought to commemorate the many brave men lost in the brutal conflict. One soldier who has never come home is Sergeant Joseph Allen Frith. Patrick K O’Donnell tells the story.Further ReadingThe Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special OperationsGuest InfoPatrick K. O’Donnell is a bestselling, critically-acclaimed military historian and an expert on special operations units. He is the author of thirteen books, including his new bestselling book on the Civil War The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special OperationsO’Donnell’s other bestsellers include: The Indispensables, The Unknowns, and Washington’s Immortals. He served as a volunteer combat historian in a Marine rifle platoon during the Battle of Fallujah and often speaks on espionage, special operations, and counterinsurgency. He has provided historical consulting for DreamWorks’ award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers and documentaries produced by Fox, the History Channel, and Discovery. PatrickKODonnell.com @combathistorian This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com