Confederate Memorial Day: Difference between revisions

Confederate Memorial Day
Confederate Memorial Day
	Standard government headstone for unknown Confederate soldier, Beechgrove, Tennessee
Also called	Confederate Heroes Day, Confederate Decoration Day
Observed by	Southern states (United States)
Type	Cultural
Observances	Remembrance of Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War
Date	January 19 (TX); Fourth Monday in; April (AL, FL); Last Monday in April (MS); May 10 (NC, SC); June 3 (KY, TN);
Frequency	annual
First time	April 26, 1866; (158 years ago)
Related to	Lee–Jackson Day; Robert E. Lee Day;

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit Next edit →

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Revision as of 18:38, 25 June 2023

Confederate Memorial Day (called Confederate Heroes Day in Texas and Florida, and Confederate Decoration Day in Tennessee) is a holiday observed in several Southern U.S. states on various dates since the end of the American Civil War. The holiday is meant to honor the estimated 258,000 Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War.^[1]

Since its inception, Confederate Memorial Day has garnered both fervent support as well as passionate opposition.

Confederate Memorial Day is widely considered to be the precursor to the Memorial Day holiday celebrated nationally.

Origins

In the spring of 1866 the 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.^[2] Their invitation was written in March 1866 and sent to all of the principal cities in the former Confederacy, including Atlanta;^[3] Macon;^[4] Montgomery; Memphis; Richmond; St. Louis; Alexandria; Columbia;^[5] and New Orleans, as well as smaller towns like Staunton, Virginia;^[6] Anderson, South Carolina;^[7] and Wilmington, North Carolina.^[8] The actual date for the holiday was selected by Elizabeth Rutherford Ellis.^[9] 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.^[2]

The first official celebration as a public holiday occurred in 1874, following a proclamation by the Georgia legislature.^[10] By 1916, ten states celebrated it, on June 3, the birthday of CSA President Jefferson Davis.^[10] Other states chose late April dates, or May 10, commemorating Davis' capture.^[10]

Connection to Memorial Day

In their book, The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America, Bellware and Gardiner assert that the national Memorial Day holiday is a direct offshoot of the observance begun by the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia in 1866. In a few places, most notably Columbus, Mississippi^[11] and Macon, Georgia,^[12] both Confederate and Union graves were decorated during the first observance. The day was even referred to as 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.^[13]

While initially cool to the idea of a Northern version of the holiday, General John A. Logan was eventually won over. His General Order No. 11, issued May 5, 1868, commanded the posts of Grand Army of the Republic to strew flowers on the graves of Union soldiers. The Grand Army of the Republic eventually adopted the name Memorial Day at their national encampment in 1882.^[14]

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, Mary Logan (nee' Simmmerson Cunningham) claims she told him about it after a trip to Virginia in the spring of that year.^[15] 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.^[16] 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..."^[17]

Statutory holidays

Confederate Memorial Day is a statutory holiday in Alabama on the fourth Monday in April, in Mississippi on the final Monday in April, and in South Carolina on May 10.^[18]^[19]^[20]^[21] In all of these states, state offices are closed on this day.

In Georgia, the fourth Monday in April was formerly celebrated as Confederate Memorial Day, but beginning in 2016, in response to the Charleston church shooting, the names of Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee's Birthday were struck from the state calendar and the statutory holidays were designated simply as "state holidays".^[22] Florida also continues to officially designate Confederate Memorial Day on the fourth Monday in April, although state offices remain open.^[23]

North Carolina also designates the holiday on May 10, although state offices remain open and localities may choose whether to observe it.^[24]^[25]

In June 2022, the Louisiana State Legislature voted to remove Confederate Memorial Day, as well as Robert E. Lee Day, from the state's calendar of official holidays.^[26]

State	Recognized	Derecognized	Type
Alabama	1901^[27]	-	State holiday
Arkansas	?	?
Florida	1895^[28]	-	Commemoration
Georgia	1874^[10]	2016^[22]	4th Monday in April is now called "State Holiday"
Kentucky	?	-	Commemoration
Louisiana	c. 1925^[29]	2022^[26]
Mississippi	?	-	State holiday
Missouri	?	?
North Carolina	?	-	Commemoration
South Carolina	1896^[30]	-	State holiday (made non-optional in 2000^[31])
Tennessee	1903^[32]	-	Annual proclamation required by law
Texas	1973^[33]	-	Optional state holiday,
Virginia	1899^[34]	2020^[34]

Related holidays

Tennessee

In Tennessee, the governor is required by law to proclaim Confederate Decoration Day each June 3.^[32]

Texas

In Texas, Robert E. Lee's birthday (January 19th) was made a state holiday in 1931.^[35] In 1973, "Lee Day" was renamed "Confederate Heroes Day", consolidating it with a holiday celebrating Jefferson Davis and putting it the day after Martin Luther King Day.^[33] The official state description of the holiday states it is held "in honor of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate heroes;".^[33] State offices remain open but employees may have an optional day off.

Controversy

Historians have pointed out that the holiday's official recognition by states often coincided with the height of Jim Crow racism around the United States.^[36]^[37] In some places, the holiday attracted revived interest as a reaction to the early civil rights movement in the 1950s.^[38]

Following the 2015 Charleston church shooting and the 2017 Charlottesville car attack, various bills have been submitted by state legislators to end the holiday in states that still observe it. The bills, despite overlapping with a wave of Confederate monuments and memorials being removed around that time, have generally failed for lack of support.^[39] In 2021, following the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, several new attempts have been made to end the holiday and/or switch it with Juneteenth as an official state holiday.^[40]^[41] Randolph Bracy, who submitted a bill in the Florida legislators in 2021, called it a "...dichotomy you see in our state and in our nation and it’s something that we gotta continue to work through."^[42] In Mississippi, eight bills (from 2021 through 2023) were submitted to make Juneteenth a state holiday, four of which would have also remove the Confederate Memorial holiday, have all failed. Shuwaski Young, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state in 2023, criticized that “In Mississippi, Confederate Memorial Day and Confederate Heritage Month are recognized by the governor and statewide offices are closed—even though these so-called holidays are not federal holidays. But on Juneteenth, a federal holiday, statewide offices remained open today. Not closing all state offices on Juneteenth sends a message that here in Mississippi, we don’t respect Juneteenth, and we do not recognize the importance and sanctity of this day. Furthermore, it speaks volumes to the Republicans’ misguided statewide leadership, lack of respect for Black Mississippians and our country’s history.”^[43]

The holiday has been condemned by the Southern Poverty Law Center as part of a campaign of "racial terror" on the part of white supremacists, "an organized propaganda campaign, created to instill fear and ensure the ongoing oppression of formerly enslaved people".^[44] Critics often cite the fact that the Confederacy was formed for the purpose of protecting slavery.^[40] Some commemorations have been met with groups of protesters.^[45]

References

^ Boyer, Paul S., ed. (2001). The Oxford Companion to United States History. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-19-508209-5.
^ ^a ^b Lucian Lamar Knight (1914). "Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends ...: Under the code duello ..." Books.google.com. p. 156. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
^ "The Soldiers' Graves". Digital Library of Georgia. Atlanta Intelligencer. March 21, 1866. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
^ ""Woman's Honor to the Gallant Dead," Macon Telegraph, March 26, 1866, p. 5". Digital Library of Georgia. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
^ ""In Memory of the Confederate Dead," Daily Phoenix, Columbia, SC, April 4, 1866, p. 2". Library of Congress. April 4, 1866. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
^ ""The Southern Dead," Staunton Spectator, Staunton, VA, March 27, 1866 p.1". Library of Congress. March 27, 1866. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
^ ""The Southern Dead," Anderson Intelligencer, Anderson Court House, SC, March 29, 1866, p.1". Library of Congress. March 29, 1866. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
^ ""In Memory of the Confederate Dead," Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, NC, April 5, 1866, p.1". Library of Congress. April 5, 1866. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
^ "Lizzie Rutherford (1833–1873) | New Georgia Encyclopedia". Georgiaencyclopedia.org. 2004. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia". GeorgiaInfo. University of Georgia. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
^ ""Confederate Soldiers' Dead," Louisiana Democrat, July 18, 1866". Library of Congress. July 18, 1866. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
^ "Will They Notice This Touching Tribute". Library of Congress. Columbus, OH: Ohio Statesman. May 4, 1866. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
^ Bellware, Daniel (2014). The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus, GA: Columbus State University. p. 87. ISBN 9780692292259.
^ Beath, Robert B. (1884). The Grand Army Blue-Book Containing the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic and Decisions and Opinions Thereon . Philadelphia: Grand Army of the Republic. p. 118. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
^ Logan, Mrs. John A. (1913). "Logan, Mrs. John A., Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife, C. Scribner sons, 1913, p. 243". Google Books. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
^ Bellware, Daniel (2014). The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus, GA: Columbus State University. p. 144. ISBN 9780692292259.
^ "Illinois – Gen. Logan on Reconstruction," New York Tribune July 14, 1866 p. 5". Library of Congress. July 14, 1866. Archived from the original on April 30, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
^ "Confederate Memorial Day in the United States". time and date.com. Time and Date AS. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
^ "Confederate Memorial Day still recognized in Alabama and across the South". Alabama Media Group. The Associated Press. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
^ "Confederate Memorial Day". Sos.ms.gov. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
^ "Code of Laws - Title 53 - Chapter 5 - Legal Holidays". www.scstatehouse.gov. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Why Monday is no longer Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia". April 23, 2018. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
^ staff, News4Jax (April 26, 2021). "Confederate Memorial Day remains legal holiday in Florida, other southern states". WJXT. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Do Some US States Observe 'Confederate Memorial Day'?". Snopes.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
^ Merelli, Annalisa (May 10, 2018). "What the controversial Confederate Memorial Day would be in other countries". Quartz. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
^ ^a ^b Canicosa, J. C. "Louisiana Legislature agrees to get rid of Confederate state holidays". Louisiana Illuminator. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
^ Confederate Memorial Day - Encyclopedia of Alabama
^ 5 things to know about Florida's Confederate holidays
^ Louisiana Senate Approves Removing Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day From State’s Legal Holiday Calendar
^ How South Carolina observes Confederate Memorial Day and how that could change
^ Cite error: The named reference SC-2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Tennessee was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c Jakob Rodriguez; Japhanie Gray (January 19, 2021). "What is Confederate Heroes Day and why do Texans still celebrate it today?". KSAT - Omne - Graham Media Group. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Virginia holiday commemorating Confederate generals won't be celebrated in 2021, for the first time in over 100 years
^ "TEXAS CONFEDERATE HEROES DAY AND CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY" (PDF). Texas Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021. "House Bill 126, 42nd Legislature Regular Session. Chapter 8. Approved and Effective January 30, 1931 as Robert E. Lee's Birthday.; Senate Bill 60, 63rd Legislature Regular Session. Chapter 221. Approved June 1, 1973 and Effective August 27, 1973 as Confederate Heroes Day. This bill deleted June 3rd as a holiday for Jefferson Davis' birthday and combined the two into Confederate Heroes Day."
^ Cite error: The named reference Vox was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Frank was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Cox was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Novelly, Thomas (June 4, 2018). "Why is today Confederate Memorial Day in Kentucky?". Courier Journal. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Poulisse, Adam (April 25, 2022). "Confederate Memorial Day: What is the controversial holiday recognized in Florida?". Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
^ Rado, Diane (April 25, 2022). "A day to celebrate? Confederate Memorial Day is still on the books in FL". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
^ Stofan, Jake (June 19, 2023). "Florida recognizes three Confederate holidays as 'official' state holidays, but not Juneteenth". WFOX-TV/WJAX-TV. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
^ Pittman, Ashton (June 19, 2023). "Mississippi Closed State Offices For Confederate Holiday, But Not Juneteenth". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
^ Confederate Memorial Day remains legal holiday in Florida, other southern states
^ Civil rights activists protest Confederate Memorial Day at Georgia’s Stone Mountain

External links

Confederate Memorial Day at NCpedia (ncpedia.org)
Works by or about Confederate Memorial Day at the Internet Archive

[boyer-1] Boyer, Paul S., ed. (2001). The Oxford Companion to United States History. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-19-508209-5.

[History_of_Confederate_Memorial_Day-2] Lucian Lamar Knight (1914). "Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends ...: Under the code duello ..." Books.google.com. p. 156. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.

[3] "The Soldiers' Graves". Digital Library of Georgia. Atlanta Intelligencer. March 21, 1866. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.

[4] ""Woman's Honor to the Gallant Dead," Macon Telegraph, March 26, 1866, p. 5". Digital Library of Georgia. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2017.

[5] ""In Memory of the Confederate Dead," Daily Phoenix, Columbia, SC, April 4, 1866, p. 2". Library of Congress. April 4, 1866. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.

[6] ""The Southern Dead," Staunton Spectator, Staunton, VA, March 27, 1866 p.1". Library of Congress. March 27, 1866. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.

[7] ""The Southern Dead," Anderson Intelligencer, Anderson Court House, SC, March 29, 1866, p.1". Library of Congress. March 29, 1866. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.

[8] ""In Memory of the Confederate Dead," Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, NC, April 5, 1866, p.1". Library of Congress. April 5, 1866. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.

[9] "Lizzie Rutherford (1833–1873) | New Georgia Encyclopedia". Georgiaencyclopedia.org. 2004. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2016.

[GeorgiaInfo-10] "Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia". GeorgiaInfo. University of Georgia. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.

[11] ""Confederate Soldiers' Dead," Louisiana Democrat, July 18, 1866". Library of Congress. July 18, 1866. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

[12] "Will They Notice This Touching Tribute". Library of Congress. Columbus, OH: Ohio Statesman. May 4, 1866. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

[13] Bellware, Daniel (2014). The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus, GA: Columbus State University. p. 87. ISBN 9780692292259.

[14] Beath, Robert B. (1884). The Grand Army Blue-Book Containing the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic and Decisions and Opinions Thereon . Philadelphia: Grand Army of the Republic. p. 118. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.

[15] Logan, Mrs. John A. (1913). "Logan, Mrs. John A., Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife, C. Scribner sons, 1913, p. 243". Google Books. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

[16] Bellware, Daniel (2014). The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus, GA: Columbus State University. p. 144. ISBN 9780692292259.

[:0-17] "Illinois – Gen. Logan on Reconstruction," New York Tribune July 14, 1866 p. 5". Library of Congress. July 14, 1866. Archived from the original on April 30, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.

[TaD-18] "Confederate Memorial Day in the United States". time and date.com. Time and Date AS. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.

[19] "Confederate Memorial Day still recognized in Alabama and across the South". Alabama Media Group. The Associated Press. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.

[20] "Confederate Memorial Day". Sos.ms.gov. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.

[21] "Code of Laws - Title 53 - Chapter 5 - Legal Holidays". www.scstatehouse.gov. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.

[GA-de-22] "Why Monday is no longer Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia". April 23, 2018. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.

[23] staff, News4Jax (April 26, 2021). "Confederate Memorial Day remains legal holiday in Florida, other southern states". WJXT. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[24] "Do Some US States Observe 'Confederate Memorial Day'?". Snopes.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2021.

[Quartz-25] Merelli, Annalisa (May 10, 2018). "What the controversial Confederate Memorial Day would be in other countries". Quartz. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.

[LA-de-26] Canicosa, J. C. "Louisiana Legislature agrees to get rid of Confederate state holidays". Louisiana Illuminator. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.

[27] Confederate Memorial Day - Encyclopedia of Alabama

[28] 5 things to know about Florida's Confederate holidays

[29] Louisiana Senate Approves Removing Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day From State’s Legal Holiday Calendar

[30] How South Carolina observes Confederate Memorial Day and how that could change

[SC-2000-31] Cite error: The named reference SC-2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Tennessee-32] Cite error: The named reference Tennessee was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ksat-33] Jakob Rodriguez; Japhanie Gray (January 19, 2021). "What is Confederate Heroes Day and why do Texans still celebrate it today?". KSAT - Omne - Graham Media Group. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2023.

[VA-de-34] Virginia holiday commemorating Confederate generals won't be celebrated in 2021, for the first time in over 100 years

[35] "TEXAS CONFEDERATE HEROES DAY AND CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY" (PDF). Texas Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021. "House Bill 126, 42nd Legislature Regular Session. Chapter 8. Approved and Effective January 30, 1931 as Robert E. Lee's Birthday.; Senate Bill 60, 63rd Legislature Regular Session. Chapter 221. Approved June 1, 1973 and Effective August 27, 1973 as Confederate Heroes Day. This bill deleted June 3rd as a holiday for Jefferson Davis' birthday and combined the two into Confederate Heroes Day."

[Vox-36] Cite error: The named reference Vox was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Frank-37] Cite error: The named reference Frank was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Cox-38] Cite error: The named reference Cox was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[39] Novelly, Thomas (June 4, 2018). "Why is today Confederate Memorial Day in Kentucky?". Courier Journal. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[WFTV-40] Poulisse, Adam (April 25, 2022). "Confederate Memorial Day: What is the controversial holiday recognized in Florida?". Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[41] Rado, Diane (April 25, 2022). "A day to celebrate? Confederate Memorial Day is still on the books in FL". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[42] Stofan, Jake (June 19, 2023). "Florida recognizes three Confederate holidays as 'official' state holidays, but not Juneteenth". WFOX-TV/WJAX-TV. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[43] Pittman, Ashton (June 19, 2023). "Mississippi Closed State Offices For Confederate Holiday, But Not Juneteenth". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[News4Jax-44] Confederate Memorial Day remains legal holiday in Florida, other southern states

[45] Civil rights activists protest Confederate Memorial Day at Georgia’s Stone Mountain

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 |relatedto     = {{unbulleted list|[[Lee–Jackson Day]]|[[Robert E. Lee Day]]}}
 }}
-'''Confederate Memorial Day''' (called '''Confederate Heroes Day''' in [[Texas]] and [[Florida]], and '''Confederate Decoration Day''' in [[Tennessee]]) is a [[holiday]] observed in several [[Southern United States|Southern U.S. states]] on various dates since the end of the [[American Civil War]]. The holiday was originally publicly presented as a day to remember the estimated 258,000 [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[soldier]]s who died during the American Civil War.<ref name=boyer>{{cite book |editor-last=Boyer |editor-first=Paul S. |editor-link=Paul Boyer (historian) |date=2001 |title=The Oxford Companion to United States History |location=New York |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00paul_0/page/132 132] |isbn=0-19-508209-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00paul_0/page/132 }}</ref>
+'''Confederate Memorial Day''' (called '''Confederate Heroes Day''' in [[Texas]] and [[Florida]], and '''Confederate Decoration Day''' in [[Tennessee]]) is a [[holiday]] observed in several [[Southern United States|Southern U.S. states]] on various dates since the end of the [[American Civil War]]. The holiday is meant to honor the estimated 258,000 [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[soldier]]s who died during the American Civil War.<ref name=boyer>{{cite book |editor-last=Boyer |editor-first=Paul S. |editor-link=Paul Boyer (historian) |date=2001 |title=The Oxford Companion to United States History |location=New York |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00paul_0/page/132 132] |isbn=0-19-508209-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00paul_0/page/132 }}</ref>
+Since its inception, Confederate Memorial Day has garnered both fervent support as well as passionate opposition.
-The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] has condemned the holiday as part of a campaign of "[[Ethnic violence|racial terror]]" on the part of [[white supremacist]]s - "an organized propaganda campaign, created to instill fear and ensure the ongoing oppression of formerly enslaved people."<ref name=News4Jax/> Writers and historians have pointed out that the holiday's official recognition by states often coincided with the height of [[Jim Crow laws|Jim Crow racism]] around the United States, decades after the war ended.<ref name="Vox">{{cite web |last1=Coaston |first1=Jane |title=Confederate Memorial Day: when multiple states celebrate treason in defense of slavery |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/4/23/17271408/confederate-memorial-day-racism-civil-war-slavery |website=Vox |access-date=10 June 2022 |language=en |date=23 April 2018 |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413090540/https://www.vox.com/2018/4/23/17271408/confederate-memorial-day-racism-civil-war-slavery |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Frank">{{cite book |last1=Frank |first1=Lisa Tendrich |title=The World of the Civil War: A Daily Life Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A Daily Life Encyclopedia |date=28 July 2015 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-4408-2979-6 |page=517 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0I4qCgAAQBAJ&q="Confederate%20Memorial%20day%20became" |access-date=10 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Renewed interest also revived the holiday in some places during the beginning of the [[civil rights movement]] in the 1950s.<ref name="Cox">{{cite book |last1=Cox |first1=Karen L. |title=No Common Ground: Confederate Monuments and the Ongoing Fight for Racial Justice |date=23 February 2021 |publisher=UNC Press Books |isbn=978-1-4696-6268-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sjf_DwAAQBAJ&q="revived%20in%20response" |language=en}}</ref>
+Confederate Memorial Day is widely considered to be the precursor to the Memorial Day holiday celebrated nationally.
-The holiday originated at a local level by Ladies' Memorial Associations to care for the graves of Confederate dead.<ref>Frank, Lisa Tendrich, ''The World of the Civil War: A Daily Life Encyclopedia'', Volume I, p.517.</ref> It is currently an official state holiday in [[Alabama]], [[Mississippi]], and [[South Carolina]]; while it is commemorated in [[Kentucky]], [[Florida]], [[North Carolina]], [[Texas]], and [[Tennessee]].<ref name="SC-2000">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t53c005.php|title=Code of Laws – Title 53 – Chapter 5 – Legal Holidays|website=www.scstatehouse.gov|language=en|access-date=May 17, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518055143/https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t53c005.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/confederate_memorial_day_still.html|title=Confederate Memorial Day still recognized in Alabama and across the South|work=AL.com|access-date=May 17, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518055200/https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/confederate_memorial_day_still.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-1-general-provisions/al-code-sect-1-3-8.html|title=Alabama Code Title 1. General Provisions § 1-3-8|work=Findlaw|access-date=May 17, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518060530/https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-1-general-provisions/al-code-sect-1-3-8.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Tennessee>Allison, Natalie (July 12, 2019).  [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/12/tennessee-nathan-bedford-forrest-day-gov-bill-lee-signs-proclamation/1684059001/ "Gov. Bill Lee Signs Nathan Bedford Forrest Day Proclamation, Is Not Considering Law Change."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610193456/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/12/tennessee-nathan-bedford-forrest-day-gov-bill-lee-signs-proclamation/1684059001/ |date=June 10, 2022 }}  ''[[The Tennessean]]'' (Tennessean.com).  Retrieved July 12, 2019.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-florida-confederate-memorial-day-juneteenth-20210420-v57lx3ci2zaizmlcom2zolee7q-story.html |title=Pandering to the base: Florida protects Confederate holidays, makes felons of protesters – Editorial |author=Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512084727/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-florida-confederate-memorial-day-juneteenth-20210420-v57lx3ci2zaizmlcom2zolee7q-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/04/26/state-offices-close-for-confederate-memorial-day-in-alabama-and-mississippi-heres-why-its-still-an-official-holiday-there/?sh=27e989f835fe |title=State Offices Close For 'Confederate Memorial Day' In Alabama And Mississippi{{snd}}Here's Why It's (Still) An Official Holiday There |last=Reimann |first=Nicholas |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 26, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511211857/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/04/26/state-offices-close-for-confederate-memorial-day-in-alabama-and-mississippi-heres-why-its-still-an-official-holiday-there/?sh=27e989f835fe |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also formerly recognized in [[Missouri]], [[Arkansas]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Louisiana]], and [[Virginia]].<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mjLUeA3gyEwC&q=confederate%20memorial%20day%20virginia&pg=RA4-PA68 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]] |page=68 |date=1925 |isbn=}}</ref> Several states celebrate it on or near April 26, when the [[Army of Tennessee|last major Confederate field army]] surrendered at [[Bennett Place]], North Carolina in 1865.<ref name="Woolf1976">{{cite book |editor-last=Woolf |editor-first=Henry Bosley |title=Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary |date=1976 |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster|G. & C. Merriam Co.]] |location=Springfield, Massachusetts |page=[https://archive.org/details/webstersnewcolle02spri/page/236 236] |isbn=0-87779-338-7 |ol=5207141M |url=https://archive.org/details/webstersnewcolle02spri/page/236 }}</ref>
-In 1866, General [[John A. Logan]] commanded the posts of [[Grand Army of the Republic]] to strew flowers on the graves of Union soldiers, which observance later became the [[Memorial Day|national Memorial Day]]. 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..."<ref name=":0" />
 ==Origins==
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 The first official celebration as a public holiday occurred in 1874, following a proclamation by the Georgia legislature.<ref name="GeorgiaInfo">{{cite web |title=Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia |url=https://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/history/article/civil-war-reconstruction-1861-1877/confederate-memorial-day-in-georgia |website=GeorgiaInfo |publisher=University of Georgia |access-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122195602/https://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/history/article/civil-war-reconstruction-1861-1877/confederate-memorial-day-in-georgia |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 1916, ten states celebrated it, on June 3, the birthday of CSA President [[Jefferson Davis]].<ref name="GeorgiaInfo"/> Other states chose late April dates, or May 10, commemorating Davis' capture.<ref name="GeorgiaInfo"/>
-Historians have pointed out that the holiday's official recognition by states often coincided with the height of [[Jim Crow laws|Jim Crow racism]] around the United States.<ref name="Vox" /><ref name="Frank" /> In some places, the holiday attracted revived interest as a reaction to the early [[civil rights movement]] in the 1950s.<ref name="Cox" />
 ==Connection to Memorial Day==
@@ Line 45: / Line 44: @@
 While initially cool to the idea of a Northern version of the holiday, General [[John A. Logan]] was eventually won over. His General Order No. 11, issued May 5, 1868, commanded the posts of [[Grand Army of the Republic]] to strew flowers on the graves of Union soldiers. The Grand Army of the Republic eventually adopted the name Memorial Day at their national [[Convention (meeting)|encampment]] in 1882.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6BZCAAAAIAAJ |title=The Grand Army Blue-Book Containing the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic and Decisions and Opinions Thereon .. |location=Philadelphia |publisher=[[Grand Army of the Republic]] |page=118 |last=Beath |first=Robert B. |date=1884 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131803/https://books.google.com/books?id=6BZCAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-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 in the spring of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lBJCAAAAIAAJ |title=Logan, Mrs. John A., Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife, C. Scribner sons, 1913, p. 243 |website=Google Books |access-date=February 23, 2017 |last1=Logan |first1=Mrs. John A. |year=1913 |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225134723/https://books.google.com/books?id=lBJCAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America|last=Bellware|first=Daniel|publisher=Columbus State University|year=2014|isbn=9780692292259|location=Columbus, GA|pages=144}}</ref> 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..."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1866-07-14/ed-1/seq-5/|title=Illinois – Gen. Logan on Reconstruction," New York Tribune July 14, 1866 p. 5.|date=July 14, 1866|website=Library of Congress|access-date=April 29, 2018|archive-date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430113818/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1866-07-14/ed-1/seq-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+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, Mary Logan (''nee' Simmmerson Cunningham'') claims she told him about it after a trip to Virginia in the spring of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lBJCAAAAIAAJ |title=Logan, Mrs. John A., Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife, C. Scribner sons, 1913, p. 243 |website=Google Books |access-date=February 23, 2017 |last1=Logan |first1=Mrs. John A. |year=1913 |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225134723/https://books.google.com/books?id=lBJCAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America|last=Bellware|first=Daniel|publisher=Columbus State University|year=2014|isbn=9780692292259|location=Columbus, GA|pages=144}}</ref> 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..."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1866-07-14/ed-1/seq-5/|title=Illinois – Gen. Logan on Reconstruction," New York Tribune July 14, 1866 p. 5.|date=July 14, 1866|website=Library of Congress|access-date=April 29, 2018|archive-date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430113818/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1866-07-14/ed-1/seq-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Statutory holidays==
@@ Line 94: / Line 93: @@
 ==Controversy==
+Historians have pointed out that the holiday's official recognition by states often coincided with the height of [[Jim Crow laws|Jim Crow racism]] around the United States.<ref name="Vox" /><ref name="Frank" /> In some places, the holiday attracted revived interest as a reaction to the early [[civil rights movement]] in the 1950s.<ref name="Cox" />
-The holiday has been condemned by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] as part of a campaign of "racial terror" on the part of [[white supremacist]]s, "an organized propaganda campaign, created to instill fear and ensure the ongoing oppression of formerly enslaved people".<ref name=News4Jax>[https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/04/26/confederate-memorial-day-remains-legal-holiday-in-florida-other-southern-states/ Confederate Memorial Day remains legal holiday in Florida, other southern states]</ref> Critics often cite the fact that the Confederacy was formed for the purpose of protecting slavery.<ref name=WFTV>{{cite news |last=Poulisse |first=Adam |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/confederate-memorial-day-what-is-controversial-holiday-recognized-florida/DEQFWYXUMVGP3F4HENP2PKBDRA/ |title=Confederate Memorial Day: What is the controversial holiday recognized in Florida? |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com |access-date=June 22, 2023 }}</ref> Some commemorations have been met with groups of protesters.<ref>[https://thehill.com/news/state-watch/3473603-civil-rights-activists-protest-confederate-memorial-day-at-georgias-stone-mountain/ Civil rights activists protest Confederate Memorial Day at Georgia’s Stone Mountain]</ref>
 Following the 2015 [[Charleston church shooting]] and the 2017 [[Charlottesville car attack]], various bills have been submitted by state legislators to end the holiday in states that still observe it. The bills, despite overlapping with a wave of [[removal of Confederate monuments and memorials|Confederate monuments and memorials]] being removed around that time, have generally failed for lack of support.<ref>{{cite news |last=Novelly |first=Thomas |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2018/06/03/confederate-memorial-day-jefferson-davis-kentucky/667550002/ |title=Why is today Confederate Memorial Day in Kentucky? |date=June 4, 2018 |newspaper=[[Courier Journal]] |access-date=June 22, 2023 }}</ref> In 2021, following the establishment of [[Juneteenth]] as a federal holiday, several new attempts have been made to end the holiday and/or switch it with Juneteenth as an official state holiday.<ref name=WFTV/><ref>{{cite news |last=Rado |first=Diane |url=https://floridaphoenix.com/blog/a-day-to-celebrate-confederate-memorial-day-is-still-on-the-books-in-fl/ |title=A day to celebrate? Confederate Memorial Day is still on the books in FL |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=[[Florida Phoenix]] |access-date=June 22, 2023 }}</ref> [[Randolph Bracy]], who submitted a bill in the Florida legislators in 2021, called it a ''"...dichotomy you see in our state and in our nation and it’s something that we gotta continue to work through."''<ref>{{cite news |last=Stofan |first=Jake |url=https://news.yahoo.com/florida-recognizes-three-confederate-holidays-200455915.html |title=Florida recognizes three Confederate holidays as ‘official’ state holidays, but not Juneteenth |date=June 19, 2023 | publisher=[[WFOX-TV]]/[[WJAX-TV]] |access-date=June 22, 2023 }}</ref> In Mississippi, eight bills (from 2021 through 2023) were submitted to make Juneteenth a state holiday, four of which would have also remove the Confederate Memorial holiday, have all failed. Shuwaski Young, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state in 2023, criticized that ''“In Mississippi, Confederate Memorial Day and Confederate Heritage Month are recognized by the governor and statewide offices are closed—even though these so-called holidays are not federal holidays. But on Juneteenth, a federal holiday, statewide offices remained open today. Not closing all state offices on Juneteenth sends a message that here in Mississippi, we don’t respect Juneteenth, and we do not recognize the importance and sanctity of this day. Furthermore, it speaks volumes to the Republicans’ misguided statewide leadership, lack of respect for Black Mississippians and our country’s history.”''<ref>{{cite news |last=Pittman |first=Ashton |url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/34014/mississippi-closed-state-offices-for-confederate-holiday-but-not-juneteenth |title=Mississippi Closed State Offices For Confederate Holiday, But Not Juneteenth |date=June 19, 2023 |publisher=Mississippi Free Press |access-date=June 22, 2023 }}</ref>
+The holiday has been condemned by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] as part of a campaign of "racial terror" on the part of [[white supremacist]]s, "an organized propaganda campaign, created to instill fear and ensure the ongoing oppression of formerly enslaved people".<ref name=News4Jax>[https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/04/26/confederate-memorial-day-remains-legal-holiday-in-florida-other-southern-states/ Confederate Memorial Day remains legal holiday in Florida, other southern states]</ref> Critics often cite the fact that the Confederacy was formed for the purpose of protecting slavery.<ref name=WFTV>{{cite news |last=Poulisse |first=Adam |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/confederate-memorial-day-what-is-controversial-holiday-recognized-florida/DEQFWYXUMVGP3F4HENP2PKBDRA/ |title=Confederate Memorial Day: What is the controversial holiday recognized in Florida? |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com |access-date=June 22, 2023 }}</ref> Some commemorations have been met with groups of protesters.<ref>[https://thehill.com/news/state-watch/3473603-civil-rights-activists-protest-confederate-memorial-day-at-georgias-stone-mountain/ Civil rights activists protest Confederate Memorial Day at Georgia’s Stone Mountain]</ref>
 ==See also==

v t e Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
January	New Year's Day (federal) Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (federal) Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos (PR) Confederate Heroes Day (TX) Eve of Three Kings' Day (PR, religious) Feast of Epiphany / Feast of Theophany (religious) Fred Korematsu Day (AZ, CA, FL, HI, VA) Idaho Human Rights Day (ID) Inauguration Day (federal quadrennial) Kansas Day (KS) Makar Sankranti / Pongal (religious) Robert E. Lee Day (FL) Stephen Foster Memorial Day (36) The Eighth (LA) Three Kings' Day (PR, VI, religious) World Religion Day (religious)
January–February	Super Bowl Sunday Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year (NY, cultural, religious) Vasant Panchami (religious)
February American Heart Month Black History Month	Washington's Birthday (federal) Valentine's Day Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín (PR) Candlemas (religious) Charles Darwin Day / Darwin Day (CA, DE) Day of Remembrance (CA, OR, WA, cultural) Georgia Day (GA) Groundhog Day Imbolc (religious) Lincoln's Birthday (CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NY, WV) National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Freedom Day (36) Nirvana Day (religious) Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple (religious) Promised Reformer Day (religious) Ronald Reagan Day (CA) Rosa Parks Day (CA, MO) Saviours' Day (religious) Susan B. Anthony Day (CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal) Tu B’shvat (religious)
February–March	Mardi Gras Ash Wednesday (PR, religious) Carnival (PR, VI, religious) Clean Monday (religious) Courir de Mardi Gras (religious) Intercalary Days (religious) Mahashivaratri (religious) Purim (religious) Shrove Tuesday (religious) Super Tuesday
March Irish-American Heritage Month Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women's History Month	Saint Patrick's Day (religious) Spring break (week) Annunciation of the Virgin Mary / Annunciation of the Theotokos (religious) Casimir Pulaski Day (IL) Cesar Chavez Day (CA, CO, TX, proposed federal) Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico (PR, cultural) Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, MA) Harriet Tubman Day (NY) Hola Mohalla (religious) Holi (NY, religious) L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday (religious) Lailat al-Mi'raj (religious) Liberation and Freedom Day (Charlottesville, VA, cultural) Mardi Gras (AL (in two counties), LA) Maryland Day (MD) Medal of Honor Day National Poison Prevention Week (week) Nowruz (cultural, religious) Ostara (religious) Pi Day Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day (HI) Promised Messiah Day (religious) Saint Joseph's Day (religious) Seward's Day (AK) Texas Independence Day (TX) Town Meeting Day (VT) Transfer Day (VI) Trans Day of Visibility (cultural)
March–April	Easter (religious) Good Friday (CT, NC, PR, NJ, VI, religious) Hanuman Jayanti (religious) Holy Thursday (PR, VI, religious) Holy Week (PR, religious, week) Lazarus Saturday (religious) Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (religious) Mesha Sankranti / Hindu New Year (religious) Palm Sunday (PR, religious) Passover (religious, week) Easter Monday / Bright Monday (VI, religious) Ramnavami (religious) Chandramana Uugadi / Souramana Uugadi (religious)
April Arab American Heritage Month Confederate History Month	420 April Fools' Day Arbor Day Birthday of José de Diego (PR) Confederate Memorial Day (AL, MS) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (week) Earth Day Emancipation Day (cultural) Thomas Jefferson's Birthday (AL) Lag B’Omer (religious) Last Friday of Great Lent (religious) Pascua Florida (FL) Patriots' Day (MA, ME) Ridván (religious) San Jacinto Day (TX) Siblings Day Walpurgis Night (religious) Yom Ha'atzmaut (cultural, religious)
May Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month Military Appreciation Month	Memorial Day (federal) Mother's Day (36) Cinco de Mayo Ascension of Baháʼu'lláh (religious) Ascension of Our Lord (religious) Caliphate Day (religious) Declaration of the Bab (religious) Harvey Milk Day (CA) International Workers' Day / May Day (CA, unofficial, proposed state) Law Day (36) Loyalty Day (36) Malcolm X Day (CA, IL, proposed federal) Military Spouse Day National Day of Prayer (36) National Day of Reason National Defense Transportation Day (36) National Maritime Day (36) Peace Officers Memorial Day (36) Pentecost (religious) Shavuot (religious) Truman Day (MO) Vesak / Buddha's Birthday (religious)
June Pride Month	Juneteenth (federal, cultural) Father's Day (36) Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County, MA) Carolina Day (SC) Don Young Day (AK) Fast of the Holy Apostles (religious) Flag Day (36, proposed federal) Helen Keller Day (PA) Honor America Days (3 weeks) Jefferson Davis Day (AL, FL) Kamehameha Day (HI) Litha (religious) Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (religious) Odunde Festival (Philadelphia, PA, cultural) Senior Week (week) Saint John's Day (PR, religious) West Virginia Day (WV)
July	Independence Day (federal) Asalha Puja Day (religious) Birthday of Don Luis Muñoz Rivera (PR) Birthday of Dr. José Celso Barbosa (PR) Emancipation Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands (VI, cultural) Guru Purnima (religious) Khordad Sal (religious) Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (HI, unofficial, cultural) Martyrdom of the Báb (religious) Parents' Day (36) Pioneer Day (UT) Puerto Rico Constitution Day (PR)
July–August	Summer vacation Tisha B'Av (religious)
August	American Family Day (AZ) Barack Obama Day in Illinois (IL) Bennington Battle Day (VT) Dormition of the Theotokos (religious) Eid-e-Ghadeer (religious) Fast in Honor of the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus (religious) Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (religious) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day (HI) Krishna Janmashtami (religious) Lammas (religious) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (TX) Naga Panchami (religious) National Aviation Day (36) Paryushana (religious) Raksha Bandhan (religious) Transfiguration of the Lord (religious) Victory Day (RI) Women's Equality Day (36)
September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month	Labor Day (federal) Brazilian Day (NY, cultural) California Admission Day (CA) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (36) Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (36) Constitution Week Defenders Day (MD) Elevation of the Holy Cross (religious) Feast of San Gennaro (NY, cultural, religious) Ganesh Chaturthi (religious) Gold Star Mother's Day (36) His Holiness Sakya Trizin's Birthday (religious) Mabon (religious) National Grandparents Day (36) National Payroll Week (week) Nativity of Mary / Nativity of the Theotokos (religious) Native American Day (proposed federal) Patriot Day (36) Von Steuben Day
September–October Hispanic Heritage Month	Chehlum Imam Hussain (religious) Oktoberfest Pitri Paksha (religious) Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets (TX, NY, religious) Shemini Atzeret (religious) Simchat Torah (religious) Vijaya Dashami (religious) Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (TX, NY, religious)
October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month	Columbus Day (federal) Halloween Alaska Day (AK) Child Health Day (36) General Pulaski Memorial Day German-American Day Indigenous Peoples' Day International Day of Non-Violence Leif Erikson Day (36) Missouri Day (MO) Nanomonestotse (cultural) National School Lunch Week (week) Native American Day in South Dakota (SD) Nevada Day (NV) Spirit Day (cultural) Sweetest Day Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles (religious, week) Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day (PR, VI) White Cane Safety Day (36)
October–November	Birth of the Báb (religious) Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (religious) Day of the Dead (VI) Diwali (NY, religious) Mawlid al-Nabi (religious)
November Native American Indian Heritage Month	Veterans Day (federal) Thanksgiving (federal) Ascension of ‘Abdu’l Baha (religious) All Saints' Day (religious) Beginning of the Nativity Fast (religious) Beltane / Samhain (religious) Barack Obama Day in Alabama (Perry County, AL) D. Hamilton Jackson Day (VI) Day after Thanksgiving (24) Day of the Covenant (religious) Discovery of Puerto Rico Day (PR) Election Day (CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, VA, WV, proposed federal) Family Day (NV) Guru Nanak Gurpurab (religious) Hanukkah (religious) Lā Kūʻokoʻa (HI, unofficial, cultural) Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (religious) Native American Heritage Day (MD, WA, cultural) Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple (religious) Trans Day of Remembrance (cultural) Unthanksgiving Day (cultural)
December	Christmas (religious, federal) New Year's Eve Advent Sunday (religious) Alabama Day (AL) Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (religious) Bodhi Day (religious) Chalica (religious) Christmas Eve (KY, NC, SC, PR, VI) Day after Christmas (KY, NC, SC, TX, VI) Festivus HumanLight Hanukkah (religious, week) Immaculate Conception (religious) Indiana Day (IN) Kwanzaa (cultural, week) Milad Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (religious) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (36) Nativity of Jesus (religious) Old Year's Night (VI) Pan American Aviation Day (36) Pancha Ganapati (religious, week) Rosa Parks Day (OH, OR) Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (religious) Wright Brothers Day (36) Yule (religious) Zartosht No-Diso (religious)
Varies (year round)	Eid al-Adha (NY, religious) Eid al-Fitr (NY, religious) Islamic New Year (religious) Yawm al-Arafa (religious) Hajj (religious) Laylat al-Qadr (religious) Navaratri (religious, four times a year) Obon (religious) Onam (religious) Ramadan (religious, month) Ghost Festival (religious) Yawm Aashura (religious)
Legend: (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, Public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.