Confederate History Month facts for kids

Confederate History Month is a special time chosen by some state governments in the Southern United States. It's meant to remember and honor the history of the Confederate States of America. These were the Southern states that left the United States during the American Civil War. April is usually picked because Confederate Memorial Day often happens in that month. This idea of having a Confederate History Month started in 1994.

What is Confederate History Month?

This month is a time for people in some Southern states to learn about the history of the Confederacy. The Confederacy was a group of states that separated from the United States in the 1860s. They did this before the American Civil War. Many states celebrate Confederate Memorial Day as a holiday. The idea of a whole month for this history began in 1994.

States That Observe It

While many Southern states have Confederate Memorial Day, not all of them have a Confederate History Month. Here are the states that have often declared April as Confederate History Month:

• Alabama
• Florida (since 2007)
• Georgia (since 1995)
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Texas (since 1999)
• Virginia (from 1994 to 2002, and again in 2010)

In 2022, only Mississippi officially named April as Confederate Heritage Month. Also in 2022, four states still celebrated Confederate Memorial Day on specific dates: Alabama and Mississippi on April 25, and North Carolina and South Carolina on May 10.

Why is it Controversial?

The Confederacy, or the Southern states, lost the American Civil War. This war happened when these states decided to leave the United States. They wanted to form their own country and govern themselves. A main reason for the war was the right to own Black people as slaves.

Because of this, Confederate History Month and Confederate Memorial Day cause strong disagreements. They are linked to a war, states leaving the country, and the terrible practice of slavery.

Leaders Speak Out

In 2010, the governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, announced that April would be Confederate History Month again. However, many people were upset because his announcement did not mention slavery.

Governor McDonnell later said, "The announcement about Confederate History Month had a big mistake. Not including any mention of slavery was wrong, and I apologize to anyone who was offended or disappointed." He added, "The terrible practice of slavery divided our nation. It took away people's basic human rights and led to the Civil War. Slavery was an evil, cruel, and inhuman practice that treated people like objects. It has left a lasting bad mark on our state and nation." Governor McDonnell later said he would not make such an announcement again. In 2007, Virginia's government had already expressed "deep sadness" for its history of slavery.

On April 11, 2010, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour spoke about the controversy. He said the issue was "just a small thing" and "doesn't matter for anything."

However, unlike Virginia's announcement, Alabama's 2010 announcement for Confederate History Month did mention slavery. It stated, "our recognition of Confederate history also recognizes that slavery was one of the causes of the war, an issue in the war, was ended by the war and slavery is hereby condemned."