Julia Pierpont Day is celebrated annually on May 28 in the United States to honor Julia Augusta Robertson Pierpont's contributions to the establishment of "Decoration Day," which later became known as Memorial Day. This observance commemorates the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Julia Pierpont, the wife of Francis Pierpont, the governor of restored West Virginia, initiated the decoration of soldiers' graves in 1865 after noticing their neglected condition following the Civil War. Along with her friend Miss Woolsey and local students, she organized efforts to clean and adorn the graves in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, West Virginia. This event drew significant attention, leading to the first widespread observance of Decoration Day on May 30, where thousands gathered to honor fallen troops. Julia's actions were pivotal in shaping the tradition that evolved into Memorial Day, which now honors all military personnel who have died in service.