Confederate Memorial Day, also known as Confederate Heroes Day or Confederate Decoration Day, is observed in the Southern United States to honor Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. Originally celebrated on April 26 to commemorate the surrender of the Army of Tennessee, the date varies by state, with observances occurring from January 19 to the second Saturday in October. The holiday was established by the Ladies’ Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia, which aimed to create an annual day for memorializing Confederate soldiers and decorating their graves. The first official celebration as a public state holiday took place in Georgia in 1874, and by 1916, ten Southern states were marking the day on June 3, chosen to honor Jefferson Davis's birthday. Currently, it is an official state holiday in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, while other states observe it unofficially.