Today I'm delving into the origins of Decoration Day, which was first observed by formerly enslaved people in South Carolina, and its evolution into what we now know as Memorial Day. This episode will discuss why it is crucial to acknowledge and preserve African American contributions to this significant part of our history.
References:
Blight, David W. Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Harvard University Press, 2001.
Bellware, Daniel and Richard Gardiner. The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus State University, 2014.
"Memorial Day History." U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, https://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp.
"History of Memorial Day." History.com, A&E Television Networks, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history.
Hite, Richard. "Memorial Day’s Complex History: From Civil War’s End to Modern Observance." National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/memorial-day-origins.
McCrae, John. "In Flanders Fields." In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, 1919.
Jarvis, Eric. "First Decoration Day was held by freed slaves in 1865." The Post and Courier, https://www.postandcourier.com/news/first-decoration-day-was-held-by-freed-slaves-in-1865/article_aa3c3e90-1f11-11e7-bf7a-0f48f7f2949c.html.
Feel free to use these references for further reading and verification of the information shared in this episode. Thank you for listening!
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