Memorial Day: Patriotism, Power, and Whose Story Counts - The First Memorial Day Was Created by Freed Black Americans in Charleston in 1865

Discover how freed Black Americans created the first Memorial Day in Charleston in 1865—a forgotten history that reveals patriotism's true meaning. Explore how this powerful origin story was erased, and examine how Memorial Day's meaning has been shaped by competing narratives about race, power, and whose sacrifices we choose to remember.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 19, 2026

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Memorial Day: Patriotism, Power, and Whose Story Counts - The First Memorial Day Was Created by Freed Black Americans in Charleston in 1865

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This episode is 10 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 19, 2026.

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