Music and remembrance: Events to honor this year's Memorial Day in Kansas City

The tradition of Memorial Day, originally called “Decoration Day,” followed in the loss and turmoil of the Civil War, honoring fallen soldiers by placing flowers on their graves.

National Memorial Day ceremonies date back to 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. In the following decades, the tradition evolved to remember all who died in military service, as well as honor veterans and reflect on the lives and sacrifices of our ancestors.