The Untold Origins of Memorial Day: A Tribute by Freed Black Americans

Long before Memorial Day became a national holiday, its earliest large-scale observance was led by a community of newly freed Black Americans in 1865. In Charleston, South Carolina, just weeks after the Civil War ended, over 10,000 men, women, and children formerly enslaved gathered to pay tribute to Union soldiers who had given their lives fighting for emancipation. They cleaned the soldiers’ graves, held a solemn procession, and filled the air with hymns and heartfelt remembrance.

This historic act wasn’t just a moment of mourning it was a powerful declaration of gratitude and dignity. These freedpeople understood the cost of freedom and took it upon themselves to recognize those who made it possible. Their efforts laid the emotional and cultural groundwork for what would evolve into Memorial Day, yet their role has been overlooked in mainstream retellings of the holiday’s history.

Remembering this origin story is not only about setting the historical record straight it’s about honoring the truth and the resilience of Black Americans. The roots of Memorial Day are deeply entwined with a struggle for justice and recognition. By acknowledging this legacy, we don’t just commemorate the fallen; we uplift the voices that first dared to remember them.

Written By: Kehinde Samson