Sounding 'Taps' for Memorial Day

[snopes]

It’s one of the most familiar melodies in the world — a gentle, 24-note refrain that lingers, still and soft, in the memory long after we hear it. But, thanks to the romantic appeal of an urban legend, the history behind this simple tune is not so simple after all.

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/2...7/AE/329094670

[snopes]

A century and a half ago, two battle-weary Civil War soldiers wrote the famous bugle call.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...087035994.html

[GenYus234]

Originally, "Taps" was also sounded to signal to soldiers to gather around the bugler for mail call, orders, or any other announcement. As announcements of the day always began, "To all present soldiers", the tune began to be associated with those words. Later on, it was shortened to the acronym, TAPS, or "Taps" as we know it today.

And now you know, the rest of the fake story.