Lee–Jackson Day

Lee–Jackson Day is a legal holiday celebrated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the U.S., for the birthdays of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.[1] The original holiday, created in 1889, celebrated Lee's birthday on January 19th. Jackson's name was added to the holiday in 1904; his birthday was January 21st.

In 1983, the holiday was merged with the new Federal holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, as Lee–Jackson–King Day in Virginia. This merger was reversed in 2000.

Lee–Jackson Day is currently observed on the second Friday in January, which precedes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (the third Monday in January). Typical events include a wreath-laying ceremony with military honors, a Civil War themed parade, symposia, and a gala ball.[2] State offices are closed for both holidays.[3]

Many Virginia cities, such as Charlottesville, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Newport News, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Winchester, choose not to observe Lee–Jackson Day.[4] In 2017, the Town of Blacksburg decided to stop observing the day as well.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Lee Jackson Day, Lexington VA".
  2. ↑ "Lee–Jackson Day". Virginia.org.
  3. ↑ "Pay and Holiday Calendar". Virginia DHRM. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Charlottesville stops observance of Lee–Jackson Day". www.wdbj7.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Town of Blacksburg Rules & Regulations Revisions July 11, 2017". Town of Blacksburg. Retrieved 12 December 2017.


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