Lee–Jackson Day

Origin and name changes

The holiday was first created in 1889 during the administration of Gov. Fitzhugh Lee, a former Confederate cavalry officer and nephew of Gen. Lee. The original holiday was on Lee's birthday (January 19) until 1904, which brought the addition of Jackson's name and birthday (January 21). The original intent of Lee-Jackson day was to celebrate Confederate Generals Lee and Jackson, who had fought for their state of Virginia during the American Civil War.

In 1983, the holiday was merged with the then-new federal holiday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, as Lee–Jackson–King Day in Virginia; the merger was reversed in 2000 by Governor Jim Gilmore.

Observation

Lee–Jackson Day was observed on the Friday immediately preceding Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday in January). Typical events included a wreath-laying ceremony with military honors, a Civil War themed parade, symposia, and a gala ball. State offices were closed for both holidays.

During the 2010s, various Virginia municipalities chose not to observe Lee–Jackson Day, including Charlottesville, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond, Winchester, and the Town of Blacksburg.

Elimination

In early 2020 the newly elected Democratic Virginia General Assembly proposed ending the observance and designating Election Day as a replacement holiday. The Senate of Virginia voted in January to eliminate Lee–Jackson Day as a state holiday; the legislation was passed a month later by the House of Delegates. Governor Ralph Northam approved the bill in March, to take effect in July.

References

References

1. "Lee-Jackson Day around the world in 2023".
2. (January 12, 2018). "Why Does Virginia Celebrate Lee-Jackson Day?".
3. (January 12, 2018). "Why Does Virginia Celebrate Lee-Jackson Day?".
4. (February 24, 2020). "Va. Lawmakers Pass Bill Ending Lee-Jackson Holiday".
5. (January 18, 1999). "Three Heroes, One Odd Holiday for Virginians".
6. "LEE-JACKSON LEGACY SPURS CONTROVERSY IN VIRGINIA".
7. "Lee–Jackson Day". Virginia.org.
8. "Lee Jackson Day, Lexington VA".
9. "Pay and Holiday Calendar". Virginia DHRM.
10. "Charlottesville stops observance of Lee–Jackson Day".
11. "Town of Blacksburg Rules & Regulations Revisions July 11, 2017".
12. Heim, Joe. (2018-01-11). "Va. cities and counties increasingly want to make Lee-Jackson Day history". Washington Post.
13. Vozzella, Laura. (2020-01-21). "Virginia Senate votes to eliminate Lee-Jackson Day, create new Election Day holiday". Washington Post.
14. Chesley, Roger. (2020-01-28). "Holidays honoring Lee, Jackson, were always a slap in the face for black people".
15. (2020-01-24). "Confederate generals shouldn't be enshrined on the calendar". Washington Post.
16. [https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+sum+SB601 Virginia General Assembly SB 601 Legal holidays; Election Day]