Decoration Day, also known as National Decoration Day, is a public holiday in Liberia that is celebrated on the second Wednesday of March. It is a day for Liberians to pay their respects to their loved ones who have passed away by visiting cemeteries and decorating graves with flowers and other items.
The origins of Decoration Day can be traced back to the 19th century when freed slaves from the United States returned to Liberia and brought with them the tradition of honoring the dead. The holiday was first celebrated in 1916 and has since become an important part of Liberian culture.
On Decoration Day, Liberians typically dress in white clothing and gather at cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones. They bring flowers, wreaths, and other decorations to place on the graves, and may also bring food and drinks to share with family and friends.
The day is a time for reflection and remembrance, and many Liberians use it as an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends and to honor the memory of those who have passed away. In addition to visiting cemeteries, some Liberians also attend church services or participate in parades and other events that are held in honor of the holiday.
While Decoration Day is primarily a day to honor the dead, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of community and family in Liberian culture. The holiday brings people together and provides an opportunity for them to support each other during a difficult time.
In recent years, there have been calls to change the name of the holiday to Memorial Day in order to better reflect its purpose. However, many Liberians continue to refer to it as Decoration Day and see it as an important tradition that should be preserved.
Overall, Decoration Day is an important holiday in Liberia that provides an opportunity for Liberians to honor the memory of their loved ones and to come together as a community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family, community, and tradition in Liberian culture and is a time for reflection and remembrance.