Founded in 1866 on the principles of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty, the Grand Army of the Republic helped Union veterans stay in contact and supported federal pensions for veterans after the Civil War, a conflict fought on American soil that divided states, communities, and families and changed the nation forever. The organization reached its peak enrollment in 1890 with 490,000 members. One of its most important legacies was the founding of Decoration Day on May 30, an annual observance to remember veterans by decorating their graves that is now known as Memorial Day. On Decoration Day, the G.A.R. erected memorial arches at Fort Snelling and other encampment locations. In 1924, Grand Army of the Republic Circle was created, with ten elm trees and ten bronze markers placed around the circle to honor the ten Hennepin County posts of the G.A.R., and surviving members added a statue of Abraham Lincoln in 1929.