That Time Black America Created Memorial Day

How did Black America create Memorial Day? 

In this special episode of the Black Is America podcast, we explore the little-known story of recently enslaved citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, honored Union soldiers.  In doing so, they inadvertently create a holiday we celebrate today.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How the Charlestonians honored the Union Soldiers
• Who was given credit for creating Memorial Day
• How South Carolina has acknowledged what happened on May 1, 1865. 

Yale professor David W. Blight is featured in this episode. His audio is courtesy of The New York Historical Society and Yale University. 

This episode was also created due to sources from The Root.com, History.com, and Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ.