Memorial Day: A Creation of African Americans

May 26, 2026

The first Memorial Day celebration took place on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina, organized by formerly enslaved people to honor Union soldiers who died as prisoners of war. A group of Black workmen had exhumed and properly reburied at least 257 Union soldiers who had been hastily buried in unmarked graves beneath racetrack bleachers. More than 10,000 people, including freed slaves, Black children, and Union soldiers, participated in a parade featuring songs, flowers, and tributes that covered the graves with rose petals.

Who is affected

Former slaves/recently freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina
At least 257 Union Army soldiers who died as prisoners of war at the Charleston Race Course
Over 10,000 participants including Black schoolchildren, Black workmen, colored soldiers, and their allies
Black women, Black men, and Black preachers who participated in the ceremony
White Southerners who later claimed the holiday
Modern Americans observing Memorial Day

What action is being taken

No actions are explicitly described as currently ongoing in the article. The article describes historical events from 1865 and subsequent years, along with past research by historians.

Why it matters

This history matters because it reveals that Memorial Day originated as a grassroots commemoration by African Americans honoring those who died for their freedom, a fact that was deliberately suppressed and erased from the national narrative by white Southerners after Reconstruction. The story demonstrates how marginalized communities have contributed to American traditions while their roles were written out of history, and it highlights the importance of historical research in recovering suppressed narratives that provide a more complete and accurate understanding of American culture and identity.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint