Federal Friday is a regularly updated page with information about different federal and state resources. Check it out every Friday to learn more about where to find data, media, reports and other content.
“Memorial Day, initially referred to as Decoration Day, was observed by many communities after the Civil War, when the nation suffered more than 620,000 military deaths, roughly 2 percent of the total population at the time. John A. Logan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of Republic, chose May 30, 1868, as a day to decorate the graves of Union troops across the nation. From this beginning, Memorial Day is now designated as an annual day of remembrance to honor all those who have died in service to the United States during peace and war. Veterans Day, November 11, celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.”
The History of Taps
“Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the British Army, a similar call known as Last Post has been sounded over soldiers' graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique with the United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.”
100 Years of “Poppy Day” in the United Kingdom
“The tradition originated in America after Moina Michael was inspired by a poem written by John McCrae titled “In Flanders Fields” to buy artificial poppies to sell to raise money for servicemen in need. This practice was adopted by both the American Legion Auxiliary and the RBL in 1921, although the dates that poppies are worn varies in both countries. In the United States, the traditional date to wear these poppies is the Friday before Memorial Day. In the UK, they are worn to mark Armistice Day on November 11, which is the day the Armistice agreement was signed, marking the end of fighting and the start of peace negotiations when it entered into force at 11 a.m. that day.” (Image, Library of Congress)
Memorial Day Speech Resources: Fact Sheet
"Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials and placing wreaths. They may also participate in a Memorial Day parade or hold a family gathering, such as a barbeque. Memorial Day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer. This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work related to celebrating Memorial Day.
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Make a Poppy: Crafts and Remembrance for Veterans Day
"Ever since the early days of this commemoration over 100 years ago, it has been a custom to wear and display commemorative poppies. By 1921, selling decorative poppies to raise funds for war veterans began in the United States and in Britain. This Library of Congress Law Library post shares more about “Poppy Day”."
The first national celebration of the holiday took place May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. "Arlington National Cemetery represents the American people for past, present and future generations by laying to rest those few who have served our nation with dignity and honor, while immersing guests in the cemetery's living history."
New Mexico
There are many New Mexican memorials to those who served, for a full list see here.
Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial
"The Chapel was the first major memorial created to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War. It was recognized the United States Congress as a “memorial of national significance” and served as inspiration for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C."
Bataan Memorial, Taos Plaza, Taos, NM
"Dedicated to the men of Taos County members of Battery H 200th Coast Artillery who died in the Battle of Bataan or its aftermath 1942."
Chaves County War Memorial, Roswell, NM
"Memorial Wall Dedicated To All Citizens Of Chaves County Who Served And Died Defending Our Freedom."
New Mexico Veterans Memorial
The City of Albuquerque built the New Mexico Veterans Memorial with open space, landscapes, sculptures, museum and meeting space to celebrate our loved ones who have sacrificed to make our country and the world a better place.
"Are you looking for ways to raise awareness about mental health in your community? You can use these shareable resources to spread the word. We encourage you to use the hashtag #shareNIMH in your social media posts to connect with people and organizations with similar goals."
Encuentre recursos en español / Find Spanish-language resources"El NIMH también ofrece imágenes digitales para compartir, folletos y hojas informativas en español.
NIMH offers Spanish-language digital shareables, brochures, and fact sheets."
"NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States, in addition to information about possible consequences of mental illnesses, such as suicide and disability."
"El NIMH ofrece panfletos y hojas de datos sobre trastornos de la salud mental y temas relacionados para pacientes y sus familias, profesionales de la salud y el público en general. Se pueden pedir materiales impresos gratuitos. Los panfletos y las hojas de datos también se ofrecen en formatos digitales y están disponibles en inglés y español."
"Download, read, and order free NIMH brochures and fact sheets about mental disorders and related topics. Publications are also available in Spanish."
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
"During May, help NIMH raise awareness about borderline personality disorder by sharing informational materials based on the latest research. Share science. Share hope."
"Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging."
NMHealth- Mental Health Program
The Department of Health conducts ongoing surveillance for indicators of mental health among students and adults in every county of New Mexico. Implementation of suicide prevention strategies statewide is a significant focus of the Department of Health’s Office of School and Adolescent Health. Youth suicide prevention and intervention activities were initially funded by the New Mexico Legislature in June 2005. The Human Services Department recently modernized the New Mexico Medicaid system by integrating physical and behavioral health services in the Centennial Care program, which will help treat an individual in a more holistic manner.
Mental illness can be treated and prevented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended several strategies for Improving Mental Health and Addressing Mental Illness to implement in the treatment setting and in legislation that promote recovery. The United States Preventive Services Task Force also recommends screening youth and adults for depression in the primary care setting when staff-assisted depression care supports are in place.
Today's post is dedicated to mothers. Below you will find the information on the history of Mother's Day, craft projects, lessons, and statistics to celebrate the day.
The Mother of Mother’s Day (Library of Congress) Anna M. Jarvis, 1864-1948, half length portrait, facing slightly right. Prints and Photographs Division
“Jarvis continued to campaign for a national holiday. Her efforts culminated in legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Woodrow Wilson on May 9, 1914, that declared flags be flown “on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” The first national celebration was held on May 10, 1914.”
Say it with flowers (Library of Congress) (Image: Suggestion for a Mother’s Day Newspaper advertisement- May 5, 1917 The Florists’ Exchange, p. 1045.)
“In observance of Mother’s Day many of us in the United States will be buying and sending flowers to the mothers in our lives. You might not know it, but this tradition of sending flowers started back in the early 1900’s before ‘Mother’s Day’ was proclaimed.”
Schack's book of prepared materials for making paper flowers, (Library of Congress)
This guide from 1916 has instructions for making paper flowers for “Department Stores, Home Workers, Convents, and all others who manufacture Artificial Flowers.” The intention was for the reader to purchase the pieces to make the flowers but a crafty person can use the petal patterns provided. This is a great project for recycling book pages.
Paper Flower Garland (El Pueblo de Los Angeles)
“Decorate the house for special occasions, while staying safe at home. This cultural tradition is a wonderful way to have fun and add some color to any room.”
Mother poems for Mothers' Day ... (Library of Congress)
A book of poems published in 1923, written by Clara Ellen Cooper Burton.
National Archives: Spotlight: The Pilgrimages of Gold Star Mothers and Widows
“After WWI, the American Gold Star Mothers’ Association began to lobby for federally funded pilgrimages to visit the graves of their sons and husbands who were buried overseas. A newspaper article from 1928 discussed the possibility of the pilgrimages by saying, ‘This is a trip that many of the bereaved have longed for and would have taken but for the hard obstacle of cost. The expense which the government is to bear will be small compared with the satisfaction of sentiment afforded by these visits.’” (Image: Library of Congress, Poppy wreath by Mothers of World War, Mother's Day at Arlington, 5/10/25, LC-F8- 35848)
Sacagawea, The Ultimate Working Mother
"The image of Sacagawea as a mother is such an enduring part of her story that she is pictured with her son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on the face of the U.S. Golden Dollar coin first minted in 2000. In February 1805, after a labor that Meriwether Lewis described as “tedious and the pain violent,” Sacagawea gave birth to her first child, who was affectionately nicknamed Pompey by Captain William Clark. For the next year-and-a-half, Sacagawea would carry her child, tied to her back, on one of the most famous journeys in American history."
"Mary “Mother” Jones had a long and storied career as a fearless union organizer among miners. She immigrated to North America as a child after her family fled the devastation of the Irish Potato Famine in 1847. Her early life was marked by tragedy. When she was 30 years old and living in Memphis, Tennessee, she lost her husband and four children to a yellow fever epidemic that swept through the city."
Dr. Margaret "Mom" Chung
"Dr. Margaret “Mom” Chung was the first Chinese American woman to become a physician. She founded one of the first Western medical clinics in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1920s. During World War II, she and her widespread network of “adopted sons,” most of them American soldiers, sailors, and airmen who called her “Mom,” became famous. " (Image: Dr. Margaret Chung with a Lockheed P-38 Lightning model and photos of some of her recruits. Public domain.)
The Real Lives of People in Dorothea Lange's Portraits- Migrant Mother
" Florence Owen Thompson was traveling with her family from elsewhere in California. The family had set up a camp on the side of the road while her husband and son went into town to resolve some car troubles. When they returned, she mentioned a photographer had taken some photos."
Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer | "Mother of Hubble"
"After three decades in orbit and thousands of discoveries, it is hard to believe that the Hubble Space Telescope was ever a contentious idea. However, in the mid-20th century, a budget-starved NASA and a post-World War II government were hesitant to follow the ambitious ideal of a giant new telescope. One woman, nicknamed the “Mother of Hubble,” pushed the first major space-based telescope from hopeful speculation to pioneering reality."
"Ella Josephine Baker was tireless in her pursuit of justice. From the 1930s on, Baker participated in over 30 organizations and campaigns, though her most documented and lasting impact stems from her role in the modern Civil Rights Movement. ... Individuals like Diane Nash, John Lewis, and Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) revered her as their “political mother.”
Mother’s Day Fun Facts (U.S. Census)
“View these fun facts and discover interesting data associated with mothers. Teachers can use the teaching guide for ideas on how to incorporate the data into a classroom activity.”
Weather History Report: Mother's Day
See what the weather is has been like on Mother’s Days past.
Mother's Day in the U.S.A. (Department of State)
Class activities for English learners.
Happy Mother’s Day to Moms of All Species (U.S. Geological Service)
See some adorable animals and learn more about seals, cranes, and other creatures.
Mother Jones