As We Honor Our Veterans This Memorial Day, It Was Black Soldiers Who Sparked Its Origins

Forbes

27-05-2025

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - MAY 25: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry ... More Regiment place flags at the headstones of U.S. military personnel buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in preparation for Memorial Day, on May 25, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. More than 1000 service members entered the cemetery at pre-dawn hours to begin the process of placing a flag in front of more than 270,000 headstones. (Photo by)
Memorial Day in America is symbolic.
From marking the end of the school year, to being the weekend for graduations, the Federal Holiday also provides a day off for millions of working Americans to honor the American soldiers who fought for our country.
And while Memorial Day is often associated with barbecues, parades, and the unofficial start date of summer - it's origin is rooted in an important story. One that has been largely erased or overlooked.
As part of the revisited DEI directive brought on by the White House, that has affected the labeling at Arlington National Cemetery, the reading curriculum at the US Naval Academy and the naming reversals of military bases, the question of what is and should be labeled as American history vs what shouldn't be has become front page news.
Which is why the origin story of Memorial Day, rooted in Charleston, SC in the aftermath of the Civil War in May 1865, should be told and celebrated. As it was there that thousands of formerly enslaved Black Americans organized a Memorial Day commemoration for deceased Union soldiers who had lost their lives in the Civil War.
The Civil War (1861-1865) was a defining chapter for the United States, claiming over 600,000 lives and leaving the nation deeply scarred both socially and financially. At its core, the war was a battle over freedom and the institution of slavery, which had become the economic backbone of the South. How big?
By 1860, the value of enslaved people in the United States was estimated between $2.7 billion and $3.7 billion—more than the combined value of all railroads and factories in the entire country. This staggering figure underscores the centrality of slavery to the American economy and the immense human cost of this system.
On May 1, 1865, just weeks after the Civil War had ended, a somewhat impromptu event unfolded at the Washington Race Course in Charleston, South Carolina. At that time, the race course, had been turned into a Confederate prison camp for Union soldiers. Forgotten and abandoned, the 257 Union soldiers who were in captivity on the grounds would end up dying there as prisoners of war. Transforming the site, which once was a gathering place for events, into a mass grave.
Thousands of recently emancipated Black residents living in that area, came together at the race track to honor and celebrate their lives, and the lives of others who died during the war.
That moment would birth the of idea of Memorial Day.
This act of remembrance was deeply symbolic. By honoring the Union's deceased families, the Black community in Charleston was creating a moment in the nation's history to show their gratitude to those who had fought for their freedom, liberation and emancipation. It was a powerful statement of resilience, unity, and hope for a better future.
The locals exhumed the fallen bodies from the mass grave, taking the time to dress and rebury them individually in separate graves, decorated with flowers. They also organized a parade, led by Black schoolchildren carrying roses, Union soldiers and community members. The event included hymns, readings, and a picnic—a celebration of both the soldiers' sacrifice and the newfound freedom of the formerly enslaved.
Eventually they would be allowed to wear Union Blue and fight for their freedom but for now they ... More were working for the quartermaster and bringing supplies to the troops, 1863. Seven 'contrabands' dressed in old Union uniforms standing in front of a wagon and shack near the signal tower. (Photo)
Despite its significance, the Charleston Memorial Day celebration and the broader contributions of Black Americans, historically, have been erased from public memory - and history books. Over time, Memorial Day's origin story became associated with the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), an organization of Union veterans that established Decoration Day as a national observance on May 30, 1868. By the time Memorial Day became an official federal holiday over 100 years later in 1971, its beginning in Charleston led by the Black community had been all but forgotten.
Erasure is part of a broader pattern of sidelining Black contributions to the overall cannon of American history, often minimizing the role of African Americans in shaping the nation. This lack of recognition not only distorts our understanding of history but also perpetuates systemic inequities. It is crucial to reflect on the stories that have been left out of the narrative.
The Charleston commemoration reminds us that the fight for freedom and equality is deeply intertwined with the sacrifices of those who came before us and underscores the importance of acknowledging and honoring the contributions of all Americans, regardless of race. By reclaiming these stories, we can ensure that the legacy of those who fought for freedom is not forgotten.
(Original Caption) 5/30/1922-New York, NY: Some of the few remaining G. A. R. veterans marching in ... More the annual Memorial Day Parade.
These times are an opportunity to confront the complexities of our history and honor the diverse voices that have shaped our nation. As we lay wreaths and wave flags, let us also remember the Black Americans who, in the face of unimaginable adversity, organized one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations.
Reminding us of the importance of the fight for justice and equality is ongoing and that the stories we choose to tell—and those we choose to omit—shape our collective identity.
It's important we take the opportunity to make the invisible, visible. And commit to a more inclusive understanding of our history - honoring not only the soldiers who gave their lives but also the communities that have fought to ensure their sacrifices are remembered.
In doing so, we can move closer to the ideals of freedom and equality that Memorial Day represents - honoring memories.