Confederate Memorial Day | Purpose, Holidays

 Confederate Memorial Day

Monument to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, USA . Confederate Memorial Day(Getty)

Confederate Memorial Day is a holiday that is celebrated in some southern states of the United States. The holiday is typically observed on the fourth Monday in April, although the exact date may vary depending on the state. It is a day to honor those who lost their lives fighting for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, which occurred between 1861 and 1865.

However, Confederate Memorial Day is a controversial holiday because many people view it as an endorsement of the Confederate cause, which was built on the belief in the right to own slaves. On the other hand, some argue that the holiday is a way to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the war, regardless of the cause for which they fought.

Recently, there has been a growing debate about the use of Confederate symbols, including the Confederate flag, in public spaces and events. Many argue that these symbols are offensive to African Americans and other minority groups who view them as a reminder of a painful and oppressive period in American history. Others, however, contend that these symbols are a crucial part of southern heritage and should be allowed to remain.

Slave ship art exhibit in Wilmington, North Carolina(Gettyl

Overall, Confederate Memorial Day remains a divisive issue in the United States, with strong and differing viewpoints on both sides of the debate.

History of Confederate Memorial Day

A woman holds a small confederate flag while her male companion salutes beside their car(Getty)

Confederate Memorial Day is a holiday observed in some regions of the United States to commemorate the soldiers who fought and died for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. The holiday originated in the years following the end of the war.

The first Confederate Memorial Day took place on April 26, 1866, in Columbus, Georgia, and was arranged by a group of women who wanted to pay tribute to the Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict. They chose this date because it marked the anniversary of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's final surrender to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place, North Carolina, on April 26, 1865.

The idea of Confederate Memorial Day quickly spread throughout the southern United States, and by the late 19th century, it had become a widely observed holiday. The date of the holiday varied from state to state, with some states celebrating it on the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, June 3, and others on other dates connected to the Civil War.

During the early 20th century, the holiday lost its popularity as the country attempted to heal from the wounds of the Civil War. However, it gained renewed interest during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, with some southern states using it as a means of demonstrating their opposition to federal desegregation policies and celebrating their Confederate heritage.

Today, Confederate Memorial Day is still recognized in some areas of the southern United States, but it is not a federal holiday. Its observance remains controversial because of its association with the Confederacy and slavery.

List of Confederate holidays

Several holidays were celebrated in the United States during and after the Civil War to commemorate the Confederacy. Here are some of them:

Artillery Canon in Battlefield During the 150th Anniversary of the Historic Battle of Chickamauga American Civil War Reenactment Held in Georgia.(Getty)

Confederate Memorial Day: 

This holiday was established to honor the soldiers who fought for the Confederacy and died during the Civil War. It is still celebrated in some southern states of the US.

Jefferson Davis' Birthday: 

The birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was celebrated as a holiday in several southern states, particularly in Mississippi, where he was born.

Robert E. Lee's Birthday: 

The birthday of Robert E. Lee, a prominent Confederate general during the Civil War, was celebrated as a holiday in several southern states.

Tribute to the Memory of Robert E. Lee. Washington, DC: Mrs. Frederick L. Volland, left, president of the District of Columbia Division(Getty)

Confederate Heroes Da lpy: 

This holiday is observed in Texas on January 19th to honor Confederate soldiers and leaders.

Nathan Bedford Forrest Day: 

This holiday is celebrated in Tennessee to honor Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was also a prominent leader in the Ku Klux Klan.

It is noteworthy that while some of these holidays are still celebrated in certain areas of the United States, they are contentious due to their connection to the Confederacy and slavery

What is the purpose of confederate?

Confederate Soldiers With Rifles and in Uniform Marching to the Battlefield During the 150th Anniversary of the Historic Battle of Chickamauga American Civil War Reenactment Held in Georgia.(Getty)

The Confederate States of America was established by several southern states that withdrew from the United States in 1861. The primary goal of the Confedera oooocy was to protect and maintain the practice of slavery, which played a significant role in the southern economy and way of life during that time.

Confederate leaders believed that the federal government of the United States posed a growing threat to states' rights and slavery, and that secession was necessary to safeguard their interests. They asserted that the states had the right to secede from the Union and establish their own government based on the principles of state sovereignty and limited federal authority.

The Confederacy's efforts to secede from the United States ultimately led to the American Civil War, a conflict that lasted from 1861 to 1865 and resulted in the deaths of approximately 620,000 soldiers and civilians. Despite their efforts, the Confederacy was defeated, and slavery was abolished throughout the United States with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.

Who won the confederate?

The Confederate States of America was defeated in the American Civil War, with victory going to the Union, consisting of the northern states that remained in the United States. The Confederate forces surrendered in 1865, marking the end of the Civil War and the reunification of the country.

Who was the last Confederate killed?

Vintage illustration features the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, fought during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War on June 27, 1864.(Getty)

Private John B. Hill of Company K, 4th Florida Infantry Regiment is noted as the last recorded Confederate soldier to have been killed in action during the American Civil War. He lost his life on May 9, 1865, in a skirmish with Union soldiers at the Battle of Palmito Ranch in Texas. This battle occurred more than a month after Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, effectively ending the Civil War.

What city did Sherman not burn?

During the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman employed a "scorched earth" campaign, resulting in the destruction of several southern cities and towns. However, Savannah, Georgia, was not one of them. After taking over Atlanta in 1864, Sherman and his army embarked on a 60-mile-wide path of destruction, but when they arrived in Savannah in December of the same year, they found that the Confederate forces had evacuated the city. Instead of burning it down, Sherman offered the city as a Christmas gift to President Lincoln and the city surrendered without any damage.