Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.
Chalmette National Cemetery was established in 1864 as a final resting place for Union soldiers – including United States Colored Troops -- who died in Louisiana during the Civil War.
From Wikipedia:
Though now closed to new interments, it is the final resting place of over 15,300 veterans and casualties of American military campaigns from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. There are only four graves of War of 1812 soldiers, one of whom was at the Battle of New Orleans.
