Confederate Memorial Day
Confederate Memorial Day is an observance day in parts of the Southern United States to honor those who fought and died for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Nine U.S. states officially observe Confederate Memorial Day - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania have unofficial observances and Arkansas has a similar observance .
The date of the observance varies from state to state to state because of the flower season. On April 26th, 1866, tens of thousands of Southern women commemorated the first Confederate Memorial Day. Some, however, the northern portions of the South did not participate because their flowers were not yet in bloom. They instead obesrved later in the spring. For example, some chose May 10th, commemorating Stonewall Jackson's death. Petersburg, Virginia chose June 9th, the anniversary of a significant local battle. Some opted for Jefferson Davis' birthday, June 3rd.
Alabama
Fourth Monday in April. Comemorating the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William Sherman at Bennett Place, NC on April 26th, 1865. For much of the South, that marked the official end of the Civil War. In Alabama, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on..
April 22nd, 2013
April 28th, 2014
April 27th, 2015
April 25th, 2015
Florida
April 26th, Comemorating the Surrender of Confederate General Joseph E Johnson to Union General William Sherman at Bennett Place, NC on April 26, 1865. For much of the South, that marked the official end of the Civil War.
Georgia
April 26th, Comemorating the Surrender of Confederate General Joseph E Johnson to Union General William Sherman at Bennett Place, NC on April 26, 1865. For much of the South, that marked the official end of the Civil War.
Kentucky
June 3rd, Celebrating Jefferson Davis's birthday.
Louisiana
June 3rd, Celebrating Jefferson Davis's birthday.
Maryland
First Saturday of June. In Maryland, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on..
June 1st, 2013
June 7th, 2014
June 6th, 2015
June 4th, 2016
Mississippi
Last Monday in April, Comemorating the Surrender of Confederate General Joseph E Johnson to Union General William Sherman at Bennett Place, NC on April 26, 1865. For much of the South, that marked the official end of the Civil War. In Mississippi, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on..
April 29th, 2013
April 28th, 2014
April 27th, 2015
April 25th, 2015
North Carolina
May 10th, Comemorating the death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in 1863 and the capture of Confederate president Jefferson Davis in 1865.
Pennsylvania
Second Saturday in May Observed by the Pennsylvania Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Comemorating the death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in 1863 and the capture of Confederate president Jefferson Davis in 1865. In Pennsylvania, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on..
May 11th, 2013
May 10th, 2014
May 9th, 2015
May 14th, 2016
South Carolina
May 10th, Comemorating the death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in 1863 and the capture of Confederate president Jefferson Davis in 1865.
Texas
April 26th is an unofficial Confederate Memorial Day in Texas. Texas' official holiday is named Confederate Heroes Day (see below) and is celebrated on January 19th. However, many local communities and Southern historical organizations within the state also observe a separate "Confederate Memorial Day" on April 26th, Comemorating the Surrender of Confederate General Joseph E Johnson to Union General William Sherman at Bennett Place, NC on April 26th, 1865. For much of the South, that marked the official end of the Civil War..
Virginia
Last Monday in May, Same as Memorial Day. In Virginia, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on..
May 27th, 2013
May 26th, 2014
May 25th, 2015
May 30th, 2016
June 9th (Traditional) in Petersburg, Virginia.
Confederate Heros Day
In Texas, January 19th is Confederate Heroes Day. In 1973, the Texas legislature combined the previously official state holidays of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis' birthdays into a single "Confederate Heroes Day" to honor all who had
served the Southern Cause. In some years, this date may coincide with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. State offices are partially staffed in recognition of this day.
Confederate Decortation Day
In Tennessee, Confederate Decoration Day is observed on June 3rd, Jefferson Davis's birthday.
Robert E. Lee's Birthday
In, Arkansas the third Monday in January is Robert E. Lee's birthday (state holiday combined with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). In Arkansas, Robert E. Lee's Birthday is observed on..
January 21st, 2013
January 20th, 2014
January 19th, 2015
January 18th, 2016
