In the town of charleston in south carolina the celebration of what was called decoration day was held to give respects to fallen soldiers from the union army in the north.
Decoration day black history. Few remember that it was black charlestonians who created the american tradition of memorial day. Origins of memorial day celebration in black history context. Memorial day formally known as decoration day was originally started by a group of african americans. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on memorial day to honor and.
The l a times published an illustrated history about the first decoration day in sunday s paper may 24 2015 page a31 it was a whole page presentation. The facts behind memorial day s controversial history. The history channel and many credible historians have confirmed that the popular holiday was in fact initially an event held by newly liberated blacks in charleston south carolina. Little known black history fact.
Although the term memorial day was used beginning in the 1880s the holiday was officially known as decoration day for more than. After his book race and reunion was published in 2001 blight gave a talk about memorial day at the smithsonian national museum of american history and after it was finished an older black woman. Did you know that blacks were the first to celebrate memorial day. African americans founded decoration day at the graveyard of 257 union soldiers and labeled the those union soldiers buried there the martyrs of the race course on may 1 1865.
The first decoration day as this event came to be recognized in some circles in the north involved an estimated ten thousand people most of them black former slaves. It happened on may 1 1865 right after the civil war ended. Your black world. The illustrations were done by steven brodner an satiric artist and illustrator.
Memorial day previously but now seldom called decoration day is a federal holiday in the united states for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died while serving in the united states armed forces. Decoration day and the martyrs of the. The holiday is now observed on the last monday of may having been observed on may 30 from 1868 to 1970.