Robert E. Lee Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert E. Lee Day |
|
|---|---|
Robert E. Lee in 1870
|
|
| Also called | Lee's Birthday |
| Observed by |
|
| Type | State holiday |
| Significance | Confederate General in Chief's birthday |
| Date | Third Monday in January |
| 2024 date | January 15 |
| 2025 date | January 20 |
| 2026 date | January 19 |
| 2027 date | January 18 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to |
|
Robert E. Lee Day is a special day in some parts of the Southern United States. It is a state holiday that remembers Robert E. Lee, who was a famous general during the American Civil War. A state holiday means that government offices and some businesses might be closed, and people might have a day off from school or work.
Contents
Celebrating Robert E. Lee Day
This holiday is celebrated on different dates in various states. It often happens in January, around General Lee's birthday, which is January 19.
How States Observe the Day
Some states have changed how they celebrate or remember this day over the years.
Early Celebrations
- In Tennessee, people used to celebrate it on Lee's Birthday (January 19).
- Florida also observed it on January 19, though it is not widely celebrated there anymore.
- In Texas, January 19 is known as Confederate Heroes Day.
- Both Alabama and Mississippi observe Robert E. Lee Day on the third Monday in January. This is the same day as the federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Changes in Arkansas
- In 1985, Arkansas decided to combine Robert E. Lee Day with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Before that, state workers had to choose between the two holidays or their own birthday for a day off.
- In 2017, Arkansas passed a new law. It removed General Lee's name from the January holiday. Instead, a separate state memorial day was created in October to honor Lee.
Changes in Virginia and Georgia
- Virginia used to have a holiday called Lee–Jackson–King Day. This holiday honored both Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, along with Martin Luther King Jr.
- In 2000, Virginia tried splitting it into a separate Lee–Jackson Day on the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, in 2020, they stopped observing Lee-Jackson Day.
- Georgia once called the Friday after Thanksgiving "Robert E. Lee Day." Now, it is just a paid holiday without a specific name.
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Robert E. Lee Day Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.