Lee–Jackson Day

Lee–Jackson Day is a holiday celebrated in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the U.S., for the birthdays of Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.[1] The original holiday, created in 1889, celebrated Lee's birthday. Jackson's name was added to the holiday in 1904.

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 Friday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is 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]

Some localities such as Charlottesville, Richmond, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Lynchburg, and Norfolk, choose not to observe Lee–Jackson Day.[4]

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. Retrieved March 3, 2015.

External links

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