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Robert E. Lee Day

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Robert E. Lee Day
Observed bySouthern United States
TypeCultural, Southern
SignificanceSouthern Heritage
DateJanuary 19
Next timeJanuary 19, 2025 (2025-01-19)
Frequencyannual
Related toMartin Luther King Jr. Day

Robert E. Lee Day is a holiday marking the birth date of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, observed each year on January 19, Lee's birthday.[1] Because he was a Confederate general, it is mainly celebrated in the Southern United States, particularly Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.[2] Due to its time of year, it is sometimes associated with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.[3][4]

Socio-Political Significance

One fact cementing any association with MLK day is that many people in the Southern U.S.[weasel words] do not feel comfortable taking off of work to celebrate the life of a historical figure with whose political purposes and religious beliefs they have nothing in common.Template:Really? They do not, however, wish to miss a paid government holiday. Whencelebrated on the same day, as it is in Arkansas, Robert E. Lee day provides a solution for them.[5] In addition, it serves as a means of communicating their socio-political viewpoint in a way that is politically acceptable: any connotations either politically incorrect or improper are omitted from the discourse, even though this very fact is salient.[editorializing]

In Florida, it is celebrated on January 19. In Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi it is celebrated on or around January 19.

In Georgia, it is celebrated on the 4th Friday of November.[6]

References

  1. ^ Berkow, Ira (November 10, 1990). "Sports of the Times: Dr. King and the Super Bowl". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  2. ^ Timeanddate.com
  3. ^ "Robert E. Lee also honored on King Day". MSNBC. 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  4. ^ "Robert E. Lee Day". Son of The South. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  5. ^ Velez, Denise Oliver. "The history of racist resistance to Martin Luther King Jr. Day". Daily Kos. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  6. ^ [1]