5 Things , You Might Not Know br About Memorial Day.br Memorial Day isn't just an opportunity for a barbecue or beach trip. It's a day honoring American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.br 1. , It originally honored military personnel who died in the Civil War (1861-1865).br 2, Roughly 620,000 Americans died in the Civil War — making it the deadliest war in American history.br 3. , Red poppies are known as a symbol of remembrance. It's a tradition to wear them to honor those who died in war.br 4. , It wasn't always Memorial Day — it used to be known as Decoration Day.br 5. , President Bill Clinton signed the National Moment of Remembrance Act on Dec.