The Gullah people of Charleston, South Carolina, hold a special place in Memorial Day history. Recently discovered evidence suggests they held the first Decoration Day ceremony on May 1, 1865, honoring Union soldiers buried in a mass grave. This event, including a parade, speeches, and a picnic, marked a powerful celebration of freedom and a reclamation of space by formerly enslaved people.
Decoration Day & Charleston’s Gullah Community: Honoring the Fallen First – Memorial Day
