Did you know Memorial Day was first honored by freed Black Americans in 1865?
In Charleston, South Carolina, more than 10,000 newly freed men, women, and children came together to honor Union soldiers who gave their lives for freedom.
They cleaned the soldiers’ burial grounds, held a solemn parade, sang spirituals, and gave thanks. It was the first large-scale Memorial Day commemoration—and it was led by those who knew the true cost of liberty.
This powerful moment in Black history is a reminder: freedom has always had defenders, and Memorial Day’s roots are deeply intertwined with the Black American experience.
Let’s honor that legacy. Let’s tell the full story.
*The image in this post is AI generated.
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