Memorial Day 2016 | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's books

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Today is Memorial Day in the US. Memorial Day became a US national holiday in 1971 and is celebrated on the last Monday in May. It continues the custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves – an ancient and worldwide tradition.

In early rural America, this duty was usually performed in late summer and was an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, America’s need for a secular ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent. Monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers’ graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.

After World War I, the day expanded to honor those who have died in all America wars.

To celebrate Memorial Day, Amazon Kindle is sponsoring the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee and id offering $10 Off the Kindle for Kids Bundle. Additionally, you can save $50 when you purchase two Fire Kids Edition Tablets. These devices are a perfect accompaniment for Memorial Day road trips.