Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, has roots in a tradition established by Black-Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War. On May 1, 1865, the formerly enslaved, with profound gratitude for Union soldiers who fought and died for their emancipation, began commemorating that sacrifice by decorating Union graves. This remembrance and gratitude eventually gained support from communities across America.
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The observance of Decoration Day paved the way for the establishment of Memorial Day as a national holiday, honoring the fallen soldiers of all wars. It serves as a testament to the contributions and resilience of Black-Americans in shaping the traditions and narratives of American history.
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The United Daughters of the Confederacy played a significant role in minimizing the African-American founding of Memorial Day. As an organization whose aim was (and is) to promote the Confederate cause and maintain the Lost Cause narrative, they have tried to reshape the memory of the Civil War. They propagated the idea that Memorial Day originated solely from Confederate women's efforts, particularly in the South, to honor their fallen soldiers.
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By focusing on Confederate contributions, The United Daughters of the Confederacy obscured and downplayed the role of Black-Americans in establishing Decoration Day, which later evolved into Memorial Day. This intentional distortion of history reinforced the Confederate Lost Cause narrative and marginalized Black-Americans’ contributions to American history and remembrance.
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That the true origins of Memorial Day is not well remembered is not a surprise. From the start, Black Americans’ contributions to society have often been overlooked, minimized, or reappropriated. This resistance continues to this day,. For a wonderful overview of this topic, see David Blight’s book, Race and Reunion.
Resources;
http://www.davidwblight.com/public-history/2015/4/27/the-first-decoration-day-newark-star-ledger
https://www.history.com/news/memorial-day-civil-war-slavery-charleston
https://time.com/5836444/black-memorial-day/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/05/29/first-memorial-day-black-charleston/
https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/05/25/freed-slaves-started-first-memorial-day-in-the-us/
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David W. Blight, Yale University Americans understand that Memorial Day, or "Decoration Day," as my parents called it, has something to do with honoring the nation's war dead. It is also a day devoted to picnics, road races, commencements, and double-headers. But where did it begin, who c
Dr. D. Elisabeth Glassco
Frank Cote