Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day (also called Confederate Heroes Day in Texas) is a holiday observed in several Southern states since the end of the American Civil War to remember the estimated 258,000 Confederate soldiers and sailors who died fighting against the Union.[1] The holiday is observed widely, but unofficially, in most Southern states. It is observed in late April in many states to recall the surrender of the last major Confederate field army at Bennett Place
Bennett Place on April 26, 1865.[2]

Contents

1 Origins 2 Statutory holidays for state employees 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading

Origins[edit]

Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day observance in front of the Monument to Confederate Dead, Arlington National Cemetery, on June 8, 2014.

In the spring of 1866 the Ladies Memorial Association
Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia, passed a resolution to set aside one day annually to memorialize the Confederate war dead. Mary Ann Williams, the association secretary, was directed to pen a letter inviting ladies associations in every former Confederate state to join them in the observance.[3] Their invitation was written in March 1866 and sent to all of the principal cities in the former Confederacy, including Atlanta,[4] Macon;[5] Montgomery; Memphis; Richmond; St. Louis; Alexandria; Columbia;[6] and New Orleans, as well as smaller towns like Staunton, Virginia;[7] Anderson, South Carolina;[8] and Wilmington, North Carolina.[9] The actual date for the holiday was selected by Elizabeth Rutherford Ellis.[10] She chose April 26, the first anniversary of Confederate General Johnston's surrender to Union Major General Sherman at Bennett Place. For many in the Confederacy, that date in 1865 marked the end of the Civil War.[3] In their book, The Genesis of the Memorial Day
Memorial Day Holiday in America, Bellware and Gardiner determine that the national Memorial Day
Memorial Day holiday is a direct offshoot of the observance begun by the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia in 1866. In a few places, most notably Columbus, Mississippi[11] and Macon, Georgia,[12] Union graves were decorated during the first observance. The day was even referred to as Memorial Day
Memorial Day by The Baltimore Sun on May 8, 1866 after the ladies organization that started it. The name Confederate Memorial Day was not used until the Northern observance was initiated in 1868. While initially cool to the idea of a Northern version of the holiday, General John A. Logan
John A. Logan was eventually won over as evidenced by his General Order No. 11 of May 5, 1868 wherein he commanded the posts of Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic to likewise strew flowers on the graves of Union soldiers. The Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic eventually adopted the name Memorial Day
Memorial Day at their national encampment in 1882.[13] Many theories have been offered as to how Logan became aware of the former Confederate tradition he imitated in 1868. In her autobiography, his wife claims she told him about it after a trip to Virginia
Virginia in the spring of that year.[14] His secretary and his adjutant also claim they told him about it. John Murray of Waterloo, New York, claims it was he who inspired Logan in 1868. Bellware and Gardiner, however, offer proof that Logan was aware of the Southern tributes long before any of them had a chance to mention it to him. In a speech to veterans in Salem, Illinois, on July 4, 1866, Logan referred to the various dates of observance adopted in the South for the practice saying “…traitors in the South have their gatherings day after day, to strew garlands of flowers upon the graves of Rebel soldiers...”[15] Statutory holidays for state employees[edit] Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a statutory holiday in Alabama
Alabama on the fourth Monday in April.[16][17] In Mississippi
Mississippi it is observed on the last Monday in April.[16][18] In Texas
Texas it is called Confederate Heroes Day and held on January 19 each year. Only one day off is given to workers if it coincides with Martin Luther King Day.[16][19] See also[edit]

Commemoration of the American Civil War Lee-Jackson Day Robert E. Lee Day

References[edit]

^ Boyer, Paul S., ed. (2001). The Oxford Companion to United States History. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-19-508209-5.  ^ Woolf, Henry Bosley, ed. (1976). Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, Massachusetts: G. & C. Merriam Co. p. 236. ISBN 0-87779-338-7. OL 5207141M.  ^ a b Lucian Lamar Knight. "Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends ...: Under the code duello ..." Books.google.com. p. 156. Retrieved January 15, 2016.  ^ "The Soldiers' Graves". Digital Library of Georgia. Atlanta Intelligencer. March 21, 1866. p. 2. Retrieved February 27, 2017.  ^ ""Woman's Honor to the Gallant Dead," Macon Telegraph, March 26, 1866, p. 5". Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved February 27, 2017.  ^ ""In Memory of the Confederate Dead," Daily Phoenix, Columbia, SC, April 4, 1866, p. 2". Library of Congress. Retrieved February 26, 2017.  ^ ""The Southern Dead," Staunton Spectator, Staunton, VA, March 27, 1866 p.1". Library of Congress. Retrieved February 26, 2017.  ^ ""The Southern Dead," Anderson Intelligencer, Anderson Court House, SC, March 29, 1866, p.1". Library of Congress. Retrieved February 26, 2017.  ^ ""In Memory of the Confederate Dead," Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, NC, April 5, 1866, p.1". Library of Congress. Retrieved February 25, 2017.  ^ "Lizzie Rutherford (1833-1873) New Georgia Encyclopedia". Georgiaencyclopedia.org. 2004. Retrieved January 15, 2016.  ^ ""Confederate Soldiers' Dead," Louisiana Democrat, July 18, 1866". Library of Congress. July 18, 1866. Retrieved February 23, 2017.  ^ "Will They Notice This Touching Tribute". Library of Congress. Columbus, OH: Ohio Statesman. May 4, 1866. p. 2. Retrieved February 23, 2017.  ^ Beath, Robert B. (1884). The Grand Army Blue-Book Containing the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic and Decisions and Opinions Thereon . Google Books. Philadelphia: Grand Army of the Republic. p. 118. Retrieved February 25, 2017.  ^ "Logan, Mrs. John A., Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife, C. Scribner sons, 1913, p. 243". Google Books. Retrieved February 23, 2017.  ^ ""The Right of Citizenship," Evansville Journal July 30, 1866 p. 4". Library of Congress. July 30, 1866. Retrieved February 23, 2017.  ^ a b c "Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day in the United States". time and date.com. Time and Date AS. n.d. Retrieved October 17, 2017.  ^ "Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day still recognized in Alabama
Alabama and across the South". Alabama
Alabama Media Group. The Associated Press. April 27, 2015.  ^ "Confederate Memorial Day". Sos.ms.gov. April 27, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.  ^ "State Holiday Schedule for Fiscal Year 2017" (PDF). Texas
Texas State Auditor's Office. n.d. Retrieved April 28, 2017. 

Further reading[edit]

"Confederate Memorial Day" [Wilson County, North Carolina] (Black & white photoprint). Chapel Hill, N.C.: North Carolina Digital Heritage Center, DigitalNC. c. 1890. 5587. Retrieved December 20, 2016.  Bellware, Daniel, and Richard Gardiner, PhD. The Genesis of the Memorial Day
Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus, GA: Columbus State U, 2014. Print. "Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day parade on Main Street" [Wauchula, Florida] (Black & white photoprint). Tallahassee, Fla.: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. 1912. RC21281. Retrieved December 20, 2016.  Gore, Leada (October 16, 2015). "Georgia Does Away With Confederate Memorial Day, Robert E. Lee Birthday". The Birmingham News. Birmingham, Ala. Retrieved December 20, 2016.  Jackson, Ed (n.d.). "Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day in Georgia". GeorgiaInfo. Atlanta, Ga. Retrieved December 20, 2016.  Napier, Cameron Freeman (2013). "Confederate Memorial Day". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Ramer, Ala. Retrieved December 20, 2016.  Ruiz, Myra (May 11, 2015). "Historians Explain Reason for Observing Confederate Memorial Day". WYFF-TV. Greenville, S.C. Retrieved December 20, 2016.  Russonello, Giovanni (April 27, 2017). "Trevor Noah Has a Hard Time With Confederate Memorial Day". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2017. 

v t e

Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States

January

New Year's Day
New Year's Day (federal) Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (federal)

Confederate Heroes Day (TX) Fred Korematsu Day
Fred Korematsu Day (CA, FL, HI, VA) Idaho Human Rights Day (ID) Inauguration Day (federal quadrennial, DC area) Kansas Day (KS) Lee–Jackson Day
Lee–Jackson Day (formerly Lee–Jackson–King Day) (VA) Robert E. Lee Day
Robert E. Lee Day (FL) Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Memorial Day (36) The Eighth (LA, former federal)

January–February

Super Bowl Sunday

February American Heart Month Black History Month

Washington's Birthday/Presidents' Day (federal) Valentine's Day

Georgia Day (GA) Groundhog Day Lincoln's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday (CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NJ, NY, WV) National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Freedom Day (36) Primary Election Day (WI) Ronald Reagan Day
Ronald Reagan Day (CA) Rosa Parks Day
Rosa Parks Day (CA, MO) Susan B. Anthony Day
Susan B. Anthony Day (CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal)

February–March

Mardi Gras

Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday (religious) Courir de Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras (religious) Super Tuesday

March Irish-American Heritage Month National Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women's History Month

St. Patrick's Day (religious) Spring break
Spring break (week)

Casimir Pulaski Day
Casimir Pulaski Day (IL) Cesar Chavez Day
Cesar Chavez Day (CA, CO, TX, proposed federal) Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, MA) Harriet Tubman Day
Harriet Tubman Day (NY) Holi
Holi (NY, religious) Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras (AL (in two counties), LA) Maryland Day
Maryland Day (MD) National Poison Prevention Week
National Poison Prevention Week (week) Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day (HI) Saint Joseph's Day
Saint Joseph's Day (religious) Seward's Day (AK) Texas
Texas Independence Day (TX) Town Meeting Day (VT)

March–April

Easter
Easter (religious)

Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday (religious) Passover
Passover (religious) Good Friday
Good Friday (CT, NC, PR, religious) Easter
Easter Monday (religious)

April Confederate History Month

420 Day April Fools' Day Arbor Day Confederate Memorial Day
Memorial Day (AL, MS) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust
Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (week) Earth Day Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day (DC) Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
Jefferson's Birthday (AL) Pascua Florida (FL) Patriots' Day
Patriots' Day (MA, ME) San Jacinto Day
San Jacinto Day (TX) Siblings Day Walpurgis Night
Walpurgis Night (religious)

May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month

Memorial Day
Memorial Day (federal) Mother's Day (36) Cinco de Mayo

Harvey Milk Day
Harvey Milk Day (CA) Law Day (36) Loyalty Day (36) Malcolm X Day
Malcolm X Day (CA, IL, proposed federal) May Day Military Spouse Day National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer (36) National Defense Transportation Day (36) National Maritime Day (36) Peace Officers Memorial Day
Memorial Day (36) Truman Day
Truman Day (MO)

June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month

Father's Day (36)

Bunker Hill Day
Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County, MA) Carolina Day
Carolina Day (SC) Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day In Texas
Texas / Juneteenth
Juneteenth (TX) Flag Day (36, proposed federal) Helen Keller Day
Helen Keller Day (PA) Honor America Days (3 weeks) Jefferson Davis Day
Jefferson Davis Day (AL, FL) Kamehameha Day
Kamehameha Day (HI) Odunde Festival
Odunde Festival (Philadelphia, PA) Senior Week (week) West Virginia
Virginia Day (WV)

July

Independence Day (federal)

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (HI, unofficial) Parents' Day
Parents' Day (36) Pioneer Day (UT)

July–August

Summer vacation

August

American Family Day (AZ) Barack Obama Day
Barack Obama Day (IL) Bennington Battle Day (VT) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day (HI) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day
Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (TX) National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day (36) Service Reduction Day (MD) Victory over Japan Day (RI, former federal) Women's Equality Day
Women's Equality Day (36)

September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Labor Day
Labor Day (federal)

California Admission Day
California Admission Day (CA) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (36) Constitution Day (36) Constitution Week (week) Defenders Day
Defenders Day (MD) Gold Star Mother's Day
Gold Star Mother's Day (36) National Grandparents Day
National Grandparents Day (36) National Payroll Week (week) Native American Day (CA, TN, proposed federal) Patriot Day
Patriot Day (36)

September–October Hispanic Heritage Month

Oktoberfest

Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah (religious) Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur (religious)

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month

Columbus Day
Columbus Day (federal) Halloween

Alaska Day (AK) Child Health Day (36) General Pulaski Memorial Day German-American Day Indigenous Peoples' Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day (VT) International Day of Non-Violence Leif Erikson Day
Leif Erikson Day (36) Missouri Day (MO) National School Lunch Week Native American Day (SD) Nevada Day
Nevada Day (NV) Sweetest Day White Cane Safety Day
White Cane Safety Day (36)

October–November

Diwali
Diwali (religious)

November Native American Indian Heritage Month

Veterans Day
Veterans Day (federal) Thanksgiving (federal)

Day after Thanksgiving (24) Election Day (CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, WV, proposed federal) Family Day (NV) Hanukkah
Hanukkah (religious) Lā Kūʻokoʻa (HI, unofficial) Native American Heritage Day (MD, WA) Obama Day
Obama Day (Perry County, AL)

December

Christmas
Christmas (religious, federal)

Alabama
Alabama Day (AL) Christmas
Christmas Eve (KY, NC, SC) Day after Christmas
Christmas (KY, NC, SC, TX) Festivus Hanukkah
Hanukkah (religious, week) Indiana Day
Indiana Day (IN) Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa (religious, week) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (36) New Year's Eve Pan American Aviation Day (36) Rosa Parks Day
Rosa Parks Day (OH, OR) Wright Brothers Day (36)

Varies (year round)

Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha (religious) Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr (religious) Ramadan
Ramadan (religious, month)

Legend: (federal) = federal holidays, (state) = state holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (week) = weeklong holidays, (month) = monthlong holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Bold indicates major holidays commonly celebrated in the United States, which often represent the major celebrations of the month. See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, public holidays in the United States, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

Portals Access related topics

American Civil War portal Culture
Culture portal Holidays portal

Find out more on's Sister projects

Media from Commons Source texts from Wikisource Data from Wikidata

Authority control

LCCN