This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation. One symbol commonly associated with this important holiday is the poppy flower, commemorating fallen soldiers for over a century. The poppy originated in World War I, where it became a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who lost their lives in battle. It was inspired by the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, which describes the poppies that grew on the graves of soldiers on the battlefields of Belgium. The imagery of the red poppy became a poignant symbol of the sacrifice and loss of life that comes with war. Today, the poppy is still a symbol of remembrance on Memorial Day and other occasions. The American Legion has distributed poppies to honor the fallen since 1921, and the tradition continues. By wearing a poppy, we celebrate those who have served our country and show our support for the families and loved ones they left behind. It&#

In 1940 Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, the Pied Pipers, and Frank Sinatra recorded "I'll Never Smile Again" in New York for RCA. In 1953 Jim Reeves debuted at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1960 "My Home Town" by Paul Anka and "Because Their Young" by Duane Eddy entered the U.S. Top 40 chart. In 1960 "Cathy's Clown" by The Everly Brothers hit #1 on the U.S. Top 40 chart for 5 weeks. In 1963 Paul Revere and the Raiders signed with Columbia Records. In 1964 Marvin Gaye performed on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand." In 1964 "I Get Around" by the Beach Boys, "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'" by Gerry & the Pacemakers, and "My Boy Lollipop" by Millie Small all entered the U.S. Top 40 chart. In 1967 The Monkees appeared on the cover of Tiger Beat magazine. In 1968 The Beatles opened a second Apple Boutique in London. In 1970 The Grateful Dead played their first concert in England at the Hollywood

In 1430 Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English. In 1533 The marriage of England's King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon was declared null and void. In 1701 Captain William Kidd was hanged in London after he was convicted of piracy and murder. In 1785 Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter that he had invented bifocals, making it unnecessary to carry two pairs of glasses. In 1788 South Carolina became the 8th state to ratify the U.S. constitution. In 1873 Canada established the North West Mounted Police. In 1876 Joe Borden of Boston pitched the first National League no-hitter. In 1895 The New York Public Library opened with an agreement combining the city's existing Astor and Lenox libraries. In 1903 Nelson Jackson began the first transcontinental automobile trip, driving his Winton from San Francisco to New York. In 1908 A dirigible exploded over San Francisco Bay, 16 passengers fell, but none were killed. In 1915 Italy decl

In 1707 Scientist/botanist Carolus Linnaeus (the father of biology) In 1734 German physician Friedrich Mesmer (hypnotism) In 1810 Journalist, Margaret Fuller (authored the first book on feminism) In 1875 Industrialist, Alfred P. Jr. Sloan (General Motors Corp) In 1883 Actor, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (United Artists co-founder) In 1886 Actor/screenwriter James Gleason (Life of Riley) In 1888 Baseball Hall-of-Famer, Zachary D. "Zack" Wheat In 1890 Actor, Herbert Marshall (Murder, Razor's Edge, Little Foxes) In 1897 Jazz musician/banjoist Fred Guy (Duke Ellington Orchestra) In 1899 Actor, Frank McHugh (Dawn Patrol, Going My Way) In 1908 Architect, Max Abramovitz (Lincoln Center, UN Building) [d: 9-12-04] In 1908 Physicist, Dr. John Bardeen (co-invented the transistor) [d: 1-30-91] In 1910 Singer/actor Scatman Crothers (Chico & the Man) [d: 11-26-86] In 1910 Bandleader/actor Artie Shaw (Come'on My House) [d: 12-30-04] In 1911 Actress, Dorothy Lee [d: 6-24-99] In 1912 Act

In 1926 "Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue" by Gene Austin was #1 on the charts. In 1954 Bob Dylan celebrated his bar mitzvah. In 1955 Bridgeport, CT, police canceled a dance featuring Fats Domino, fearing a riot. In 1958 Jerry Lee Lewis told London reporters that he had married his 13-year-old cousin Myra. In 1961 "Quarter To 3" by Gary "U.S." Bonds entered the U.S. top 40 charts. In 1961 "Mother-In-Law" by Ernie K-Doe was #1 on the U.S. Top 40 charts. In 1965 "What The World Needs Now Is Love" by Jackie DeShannon entered the U.S. Top 40 chart. In 1965 "Ticket To Ride" by the Beatles was #1 on the U.S. Top 40 chart. In 1966 16-year-old Bruce Springsteen recorded his first song, "That's What You Get," with The Castiles. In 1967 The Monkees' album "Headquarters" was released. In 1967 Florence Ballard made her last television appearance as a member of the Supremes on NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show.&quo

In 1761 The first American life insurance policy was issued in Philadelphia. In 1785 Benjamin Franklin invented the first bifocals. In 1807 Former vice president Aaron Burr was imprisoned for treason in Richmond, VA, but was acquitted in September. In 1819 The first steamship to cross the Atlantic, the Savannah, departed from Savannah, Georgia, and arrived in Liverpool 29 days later. In 1843 The first wagon train left Independence, MO, for the Oregon Trail. In 1856 Violence erupted in Congress when Rep. Preston S. Brooks whacked Senator Charles Sumner with a cane. In 1868 The "Great Train Robbery" takes place in Indiana when seven men hold up the crew, detach the locomotive, and seize $96,000 in cash, gold, and bonds. In 1888 Leroy Buffington patented 1939, Adolph Hitler, and Benito Mussolini signed the "Pact of Steel," committing Germany and Italy to a military alliance. In 1947, Congress enacted The "Truman Doctrine" with economic aid for Greece and Turk

In 1813 German opera composer, Richard Wagner In 1828 Pioneer eye surgeon, Albrecht Grafe In 1859 English physician/writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) In 1892 Country music publisher/talent scout, Ralph Sylvester Peer In 1902 Baseball Hall-of-Famer, Al Simmons [d: 5-26-56] In 1906 Actor/comedian Harry Ritz (The Ritz Brothers) [d: 3-31-86] In 1907 Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier (Hamlet, Jazz Singer) [d: 7-11-89] In 1907 Cartoonist, Georges "Herge" Remi (Tin Tin) [d: 3-4-83] In 1910 Announcer, Johnny Olsen (The Price Is Right) [d: 10-12-85) In 1914 Author/journalist Vance Packard (Animal IQ) [d: 12-12-96] In 1915 Cartoonist, George Baker (The Sad Sack) [d: 5-17-75] In 1920 Astronomer, Thomas Gold (steady-state theory of universe) [d: 6-22-04] In 1922 TV critic Judith Crist (TV Guide) [d: 8-7-12] In 1924 Singer/actor Charles Aznavour (The Tin Drum) [d: 10-1-18] In 1927 Actor, Michael Constantine (Seymour Kaufman-Room 222) [d: 8-31-21] In 1928 Businessman, T. Boone Pick