HOLIDAY HISTORY

Memorial Day, a federal holiday officially marked on the last Monday in May, combines two ceremonies begun in the 1860s to honor soldiers and survivors of the Civil War, according to the Embassy of the United States of America.

One ceremony, begun by drugstore owner Henry Welles in Waterloo, N.Y., began in 1866, when townspeople placed flowers, wreaths and crosses on the graves of those who served on the side of the North in the war. In another ceremony, originated by retired Maj. Gen. Jonathan A. Logan around the same time, war veterans marched through town to decorate fallen soldiers’ graves with flags.

The two ceremonies were joined in 1868, and the date used for proclamation of what was called Decoration Day was May 30. The name was changed to Memorial Day in 1882, and soldiers of all previous wars were honored. President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Waterloo the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966, and President Richard Nixon declared it a federal holiday in 1971.

— Compiled by Clint Cooper

DIP TIPS

The city of Chattanooga’s two outdoor pools officially open for the season this week. The cost for the day is $2 for swimmers 18 and older; $1 for those 17 and younger.

The pool locations:

Carver Recreation Center, 600 N. Orchard Knob Ave. Phone: 622-7665. Open to the public Thursdays and Fridays only throughout the summer.

Warner Park, 1254 E. Third St. Phone: 697-1330. Open Monday-Saturday throughout the season. Swim lessons begin June 2 and are Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in June and July. Cost: $32 for eight lessons. Registration is Monday through Saturday at the Warner Park pool.

Red Bank Community Pool,

602 Morrison Springs Road. Phone: 877-7004. Call for pool hours. Cost: $3.50 per person per day or $125 for season pass for a family of four. YMCA members admitted free with ID.

— Compiled by Anne Braly

SHOPPING SEASON

While Memorial Day has been set aside as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service, it’s also unofficially known as the kickoff for summer shopping.

Dillard’s assistant store manager Maggie Dosch said it’s the first big shopping day after the winter holiday season.

“It’s the first major holiday after Christmas, so we’ve got a lot of merchandise to put on sale,” she said. “We take our first seasonal markdowns in most every department. It’s the first markdown of shoes for the year.”

Women can find bargains in capris, tank tops and other summer apparel, she said. “Our Kasper line for women will be marked down below manufacturer’s cost.”

Men won’t be left out of the bargains, she said.

“Men will also find reductions in summer shirts and shorts. We’ll have a big markdown on Father’s Day items.”

Merchandise in children’s and the home-goods department will also be discounted, Ms. Dosch said.

“We’ll sell items in our summer shop at 33 percent off,” she said. “Memorial Day is most definitely the ideal day to shop for good deals.”

— Compiled by Karen Nazor Hill FUN THINGS TO DO

Here are five fun, all-American ways to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend.

Family fun: Lake Winnepesaukah plans a band organ rally and admission specials this weekend. Members of the Carousel Organ Association of America will play their hand-crafted “monkey organs” throughout the park from noon to 10 p.m. today and noon-8 p.m. Monday. Guests can enjoy “Good Old Days” admission of $15 for an all-day ride pass both days. On Monday, the North Georgia amusement park will honor all mobilized and deployed military personnel and their families with free gate admission and unlimited rides. Visitors must present an active-duty ID card at the entrance gates. The actual service person need not be present, though children must be chaperoned.

Eagles up close: Nonprofit organization Save Our American Raptors is back with birds of prey shows at Rock City through Labor Day weekend. Catch the shows at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. today and Monday. If you’re going, enjoy the Southern Blooms Festival, a series of gardening events, concluding today, and old-time music by the New Binkley Bros. near Lover’s Leap. All events are free with regular admission: $16.95 adults, $8.95 children 3-12.

Baseball: Monday’s matchup between the Chattanooga Lookouts and Carolina Mudcats is an afternoon game (2:15 p.m.), so you’ll need to head to AT&T Field tonight (7:15) for postgame fireworks. Go Monday for the kids-eat-free deal, offering a complimentary hot dog and soft drink to fans 12 and younger. General admission is $4, with $2 discounts for seniors and children.

Barbecue: Chattanooga Market serves up its first Beast Feast, a barbecue cook-off between 10 local restaurants today. The cooks have four categories of competition: beef, pork, chicken and beast, a chef’s choice mystery meat. Market hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free, but you’ll pay $5 for five samples, $10 for all 10.

Patriotic music: An Armed Forces salute as well as “America the Beautiful” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” are on the program as the MidSouth Concert Band presents a concert of patriotic music at 6 p.m. today at Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. The program is free, but a love offering will be taken to help the 60-piece band with expenses.

— Compiled by Lisa Denton