Did you know Charleston is believed to be the site of one of the first Memorial Day observances? In 1865, just after the Civil War ended, a group of formerly enslaved people organized a burial and tribute for Union soldiers who died in a Confederate prison camp at what had been the Washington Race Course. They reinterred the soldiers’ remains, built a proper cemetery, and honored them with a procession of nearly 10,000 people—featuring schoolchildren, church leaders, and members of the Black community. They sang hymns, gave readings, and decorated the graves with flowers, planting the seeds of what would later become Memorial Day. It’s a powerful and often overlooked piece of local and national history that began right here in the Holy City.

Today, Charleston continues to honor this legacy with meaningful Memorial Day events. The Charleston Concert Band presents a free patriotic concert at Hampton Park, offering a space for the community to gather in remembrance. Additionally, the city participates in the National Moment of Remembrance, observing a minute of silence at 3:00 p.m. to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice .