The Untold Story of Memorial Day: A Black History You Should Know

Memorial Day's Hidden History: A Charleston Remembrance. Charleston, South Carolina, holds a significant, yet often overlooked, place in the history of Memorial Day. While the holiday is widely celebrated across the United States, its origins are deeply rooted in the actions of Black Americans in 1865. A recent video by Sally McMullin has brought this lesser-known history to light. McMullin's video details how, on May 1st, 1865, following the Civil War, Black residents of Charleston organized a ceremony to decorate the graves of Union soldiers. This act of remembrance, McMullin explains, predates widely recognized Memorial Day observances. "On this day, we remember that Memorial Day was started by Black people," McMullin states in the video. The video includes a historical photograph of the graves of Union soldiers buried at a race course-turned-Confederate prison. This visual evidence supports McMullin's account. The video's impact is amplified by its emotional appeal and McMullin's passionate delivery. Her closing statement, "May we never forget," serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering this often-overlooked piece of American history. The video's call to share this information underscores the significance of acknowledging the contributions of Black Americans to the very fabric of American traditions.