Chances are unless you had a driver’s license to renew, you had no idea Monday was Confederate Memorial Day.
Even here in the heart of the Deep South there seems little awareness of it.
Nine states observe the holiday, though not at the same time. Some states observe Confederate Memorial Day on Jefferson Davis’ birthday. Davis, of course, was president of the Confederacy. Mississippi and Alabama inexplicably observe the holiday on the fourth Monday in April, which falls near April 26, the date in 1865 Joseph E. Johnson surrendered Georgia to Gen. William T. Sherman.
Virginia celebrates the holiday on Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor those who have died in our nation’s service. With the exception of WWII, the Civil War with about 625,000 combat and civilian deaths has been the most costly for the U.S. in human terms.
Still, we wonder why the holiday is celebrated at all. The Confederacy represents many things to many people, not all of them good. Though some will vehemently argue the virtues of its cause, the Confederacy was in essence a failed attempt by a group of Southern states to secede from the Union.
For that we need a state holiday?
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.