Lee–Jackson Day was a

state holiday In the United States there are a number of observed holidays where employees receive paid time off. The labor force in the United States comprises about 62% (as of 2014) of the general population. In the United States, 97% of the private secto ...

in the

U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

Commonwealth of Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, Southeastern regions of the United States, between the East Coast of the United Stat ...

, commemorating Confederate commanders, Robert E. Lee and

Stonewall Jackson Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, considered one of the best-known Confederate commanders, after Robert E. Lee. He played a prominent role in nearl ...

. Its observation was eliminated in 2020, replaced by

Election Day Election day or polling day is the day on which general elections are held. In many countries, general elections are always held on a Saturday or Sunday, to enable as many voters as possible to participate; while in other countries elections ar ...

as a state holiday.

Origin and name changes

The original holiday created in 1889 celebrated Lee's birthday (January 19) until 1904, which brought the addition of Jackson's name and birthday (January 21). In 1983, the holiday was merged with the then-new federal holiday

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monda ...

, as

Lee–Jackson–King Day Lee–Jackson–King Day was a holiday celebrated in the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1984 to 2000 as a combination of Lee–Jackson Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Beginning in 2000 the state observed them as two distinct holidays. Rober ...

in Virginia; the merger was reversed in 2000.

Observation

Lee–Jackson Day was observed on the Friday immediately preceding

(the third Monday in January). Typical events included a wreath-laying ceremony with military honors, a Civil War themed parade, symposia, and a gala ball. State offices were closed for both holidays. During the 2010s, various Virginia municipalities chose not to observe Lee–Jackson Day, including

Charlottesville Charlottesville, colloquially known as C'ville, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is the county seat of Albemarle County, which surrounds the city, though the two are separate legal entities. It is named after Queen Cha ...

, Fairfax, Fredericksburg,

Hampton Hampton may refer to: Places Australia *Hampton bioregion, an IBRA biogeographic region in Western Australia *Hampton, New South Wales *Hampton, Queensland, a town in the Toowoomba Region *Hampton, Victoria Canada *Hampton, New Brunswick *Hamp ...

Newport News Newport News () is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 186,247. Located in the Hampton Roads region, it is the 5th most populous city in Virginia and 140th most populous city in the Uni ...

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

, and

Winchester Winchester is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs Nation ...

. In 2017, the Town of Blacksburg decided to stop observing the day as well.

Elimination

In early 2020 the newly elected Democratic

Virginia General Assembly The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere, the first elected legislative assembly in the New World, and was established on July 30, 161 ...

proposed ending the observance and designating

as a replacement holiday. The

Senate of Virginia The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the lieutenant governor of Virg ...

voted in January to eliminate Lee–Jackson Day as a state holiday; the legislation was passed a month later by the House of Delegates. Governor

Ralph Northam Ralph (pronounced ; or ,) is a male given name of English, Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Old English ''Rædwulf'' and Radulf, cognate with the Old Norse ''Raðulfr'' (''rað'' "counsel" and ''ulfr'' "wolf"). The most common forms ...

approved the bill in March, to take effect in July.Virginia General Assembly SB 601 Legal holidays; Election Day
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee-Jackson Day 1889 establishments in Virginia Annual events in the United States Friday observances Holidays and observances by scheduling (nth weekday of the month) Holidays related to the American Civil War Monuments and memorials to Robert E. Lee January observances Recurring events established in 1889 Stonewall Jackson Virginia culture Birthdays

Origin and name changes

Observation

Elimination

See also

References