Confederate Memorial Day, also known as Confederate Heroes Day in some states, is a public holiday observed by the U.S Southern states of the former Confederacy. The holiday honors the Confederate soldiers who lost their lives during the American Civil War. Each state commemorates this day on different dates, depending largely on when their local area was most significantly impacted by the war. The holiday has been observed since the late 1860s, following the end of the Civil War.
In the United States of America, Confederate Memorial Day is most popular in the state of South Carolina (SC). South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union, which began the formation of the Confederacy. The state observes Confederate Memorial Day on May 10th, commemorating the day when General Stonewall Jackson died in 1863, and the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in 1865. A typical observance may include the reenactments of war events.
Despite the holiday being a contentious issue in today's society, it remains a legal holiday in South Carolina. There are often ceremonies and events held at Confederate memorials and cemeteries, sometimes involving political speakers. Civil War reenactments, processions and parades may also be part of the observations. The holiday serves as a reminder of the South Carolina's complex history and the sacrifices made by its people during the American Civil War.