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Memorial Day: A Waterbury History
Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was a day established by former Civil War Union veterans to commemorate those who died in the struggle to save the Union. Started on May 30, 1868, Decoration Day was commemorated in the northern states until the turn of the century, and throughout the country thereafter. After World War I, the day was set to include those who participated in all wars in which Americans served and died. The term “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but did not become the common name for Decoration Day until after World War II. Memorial Day was officially designated a national holiday in 1971.
In Waterbury, there are several monuments and memorials commemorating those who died in the service of our country from the Waterbury area. At the roundabout in Waterbury, at the western end of the Green, is a monument erected in memory of those who served in the Civil War. On the south face of the monument’s pedestal is an inscription for those who perished in the war; on its’ north face is an inscription commemorating those veterans who survived the war. The last Civil War veteran from Waterbury died in 1885.
A memorial commemorating all those who served and died in any American war lies at the western end of the Waterbury Green, and wreaths were left there during and after the Memorial Day Parade and activities on the Green on Sunday
New monuments were dedicated Sunday as a part of the Memorial Day activities for those Waterbury residents who are/were POW/MIA’s, and a Freedom Tree was planted in their memory.
At the southwestern corner of Library Park, at the foot of the stairwell from the park close to the I84 off ramp to Meadow Street, are a series of memorials dedicated to those Waterbury residents who served in World War I, or as it was known at that time in Waterbury, as The Great War for Democracy, 1917-1919.
Freight Street has also been dedicated as Veterans’ Memorial Boulevard. At the end of Freight Street, the bridge crossing over the Naugatuck River has been dedicated as the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge. On one side of the bridge, there is a plaque dedicated to those from Connecticut who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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