Lee–Jackson–King Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lee-Jackson-King Day |
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|---|---|
| Observed by | Virginia |
| Type | Historical, cultural, ethnic |
| Significance | Southern History |
| Date | Same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Frequency | annual |
| First time | 1984 |
| Last time | 2000 |
| Related to |
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Lee–Jackson–King Day was a special holiday celebrated in the state of Virginia. It brought together two different holidays into one day. This combined holiday was observed from 1984 until 2000. After 2000, Virginia decided to celebrate these holidays on separate days once again.
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What Was Lee-Jackson-King Day?
Lee-Jackson-King Day honored three important figures. These were Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, and Martin Luther King Jr.. Lee and Jackson were generals from the Confederate side during the American Civil War. Martin Luther King Jr. was a famous leader in the civil rights movement.
Honoring Confederate Generals
The birthday of General Robert E. Lee (January 19, 1807) became a holiday in Virginia in 1889. Lee was a key general for the South during the Civil War. In 1904, Virginia's lawmakers added the birthday of General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824) to this holiday. Jackson was another important Confederate general. This combined holiday was then called Lee–Jackson Day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In 1983, the United States government created a new national holiday. This day honored civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.. His birthday is January 15. Dr. King worked hard for equal rights for all people. He believed in peaceful ways to bring about change. Virginia had already been celebrating King's birthday since 1978. They celebrated it along with New Year's Day.
Why the Holidays Combined
To match the new national holiday, Virginia's lawmakers made a change. They decided to combine King's birthday celebration with the existing Lee–Jackson holiday. This happened in 1984. The idea was to honor "defenders of causes." This meant celebrating people who fought for what they believed in.
Splitting the Holidays Apart
By the late 1990s, people began to discuss the holiday. Some felt it was strange to celebrate two Confederate generals and a civil rights leader on the same day. The generals fought to defend a system that included slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for freedom and equality for all.
In 2000, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore suggested splitting the holiday. Lawmakers agreed with his idea. So, Lee–Jackson–King Day was divided into two separate holidays. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is now celebrated on the third Monday in January. Lee–Jackson Day was celebrated three days earlier, on the preceding Friday. However, the Lee-Jackson holiday itself was ended in 2020.
