Waterloo, New York had the first formal, village wide, annual observance of a day dedicated to honoring the war dead.  On March 7, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller.  This was followed by a congressional resolution and a proclamation by President Lyndon B. Johnson, officially recognizing Waterloo for starting the tradition of Memorial Day services in 1866.