Yonkers teens learned why they have Monday off for Memorial Day. 

Students at Lincoln High School planted flags on the front lawn of the school during history classes Friday.

Names of fallen Yonkers soldiers were read after a brief presentation on the origin of the national holiday.

Students say the history lesson makes them remember the true meaning of the national holiday.

"Some people need to know that the freedom we have is because of the sacrifice," says freshman Jose Gonzalez.

As students learned, Memorial Day was established shortly after the Civil War. It was originally called Decoration Day because graves of fallen soldiers were decorated with flowers.