Lee-Jackson Day is an official holiday in Virginia. Historically celebrated on the 3rd Monday in January this day was first widely celebrated as Lee Day in 1889. In 1904 Stonewall Jackson's birthday was added to the celebration creating Lee-Jackson Day. In a strange turn of events, President Reagan appointed the 3rd monday of January to also be the national holiday commemorating Martin Luther King. From 1978-2000 most southern states celebrated Lee-Jackson-King Day. But in 2000, the days were separated to Lee-Jackson Day on the Friday before the 3rd Monday and Martin Luther King Day on the 3rd Monday.
The reason for this day of celebration is to remember the providence of God and to honor these men who trusted in God. "Stonewall" Thomas J. Jackson and Robert Edward Lee are mutually respected by men of the north and south as men of godly character. They were not fearful in the midst of conflict. Rather, their courage and bravery was out of a complete trust in God's providence and sovereignty.
Robert E. Lee is perhaps Virginia's greatest soldier and patriot. When the Civil War broke out he was offered the command of the Union Army, and although he desperately wished that Virginia had not seceded, he knew he could not fight against his fellow Virginians. Lee is sometimes misunderstood by those who would like to classify the Confederacy, her flag, and all Confederates as racists and symbols of racism. This portrayal is entirely inaccurate, and the Confederacy's top general is the most striking example of this mischaracterization.
Lee did not own slaves, and in fact was an opponent of slavery. In 1856 he wrote in a letter to his wife, "slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil in any country." He was not fighting for the preservation of this terrible system, but to do his duty to his state.
Stonewall Jackson was the South's top strategist. It was his military brilliance that allowed the South to overcome the overwhelming demographic odds, hold off the North for four years, and nearly win the war. Jackson was one of the keys to the South's success, from his bravery in battle where he earned his nickname, to his vital role in the war councils he held with Lee. Jackson possessed one of the best military minds this nation has ever seen, and his service to his state and the Confederacy was invaluable. - The Cavalier Daily, Peter Brownfeld, 1/24/2000
The reason for this day of celebration is to remember the providence of God and to honor these men who trusted in God. "Stonewall" Thomas J. Jackson and Robert Edward Lee are mutually respected by men of the north and south as men of godly character. They were not fearful in the midst of conflict. Rather, their courage and bravery was out of a complete trust in God's providence and sovereignty.
Robert E. Lee is perhaps Virginia's greatest soldier and patriot. When the Civil War broke out he was offered the command of the Union Army, and although he desperately wished that Virginia had not seceded, he knew he could not fight against his fellow Virginians. Lee is sometimes misunderstood by those who would like to classify the Confederacy, her flag, and all Confederates as racists and symbols of racism. This portrayal is entirely inaccurate, and the Confederacy's top general is the most striking example of this mischaracterization.
Lee did not own slaves, and in fact was an opponent of slavery. In 1856 he wrote in a letter to his wife, "slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil in any country." He was not fighting for the preservation of this terrible system, but to do his duty to his state.
Stonewall Jackson was the South's top strategist. It was his military brilliance that allowed the South to overcome the overwhelming demographic odds, hold off the North for four years, and nearly win the war. Jackson was one of the keys to the South's success, from his bravery in battle where he earned his nickname, to his vital role in the war councils he held with Lee. Jackson possessed one of the best military minds this nation has ever seen, and his service to his state and the Confederacy was invaluable. - The Cavalier Daily, Peter Brownfeld, 1/24/2000
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