After WWI, Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. 

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress and was moved to the last Monday in May.

In October of 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance Act was introduced and voted into public law in December of 2000.  Congress specifically stated:

            (1) it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of 
        Memorial Day, which was established in 1868 to pay tribute to 
        individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to 
        the United States and their families;
            (2) greater strides must be made to demonstrate appreciation 
        for those loyal people of the United States whose values, 
        represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of 
        the United States;
            (3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to raise 
        awareness of and respect for the national heritage, and to 
        encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and 
        principles for which those heroes of the United States died;
            (4) the relevance of Memorial Day must be made more apparent 
        to present and future generations of people of the United States 
        through local and national observances and ongoing activities;
            (5) in House Concurrent Resolution 302, agreed to May 25, 
        2000, Congress called on the people of the United States, in a 
        symbolic act of unity, to observe a National Moment of 
        Remembrance to honor the men and women of the United States who 
        died in the pursuit of freedom and peace;
            (6) in Presidential Proclamation No. 7315 of May 26, 2000 
        (65 Fed. Reg. 34907), the President proclaimed Memorial Day, May 
        29, 2000, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designated 
        3:00 p.m. local time on that day as the time to join in prayer 
        and to observe the National Moment of Remembrance; and
            (7) a National Moment of Remembrance and other commemorative 
        events are needed to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and 
        noble event that that day is intended to be.