Today, January 19, is an unusual moment on the American calendar. Two commemorations — Confederate Heroes Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day — fall on the same date. To some, this may appear ironic. To us, it is a reminder of the depth, complexity, and continuing story of the American people. 

Confederate Heroes Day exists to remember the men who lived in our communities, served in the Civil War, and are now buried in our towns, counties, and cemeteries across Texas. These were not abstract historical figures. They were farmers, clerks, craftsmen, and fathers whose lives were shaped by the times in which they lived. Honoring them is not about politics — it is about memory, heritage, and respect for the dead. 

Confederate Heroes Day was established by the Texas Legislature in 1973, a combination of State Holidays honoring the birthdays of General Robert E. Lee (19 January – in 1931) and President Jefferson Davis (3 June – in 1905).  That legislation selected General Lee’s birthday as the one to be observed as Confederate Heroes Day in Texas. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors a man who challenged America to better live up to its founding ideals of liberty and equality. Dr. King understood that progress requires confronting the past honestly, not erasing it. He believed that history, when remembered truthfully, helps guide a nation toward a more just future. 

These two days are not opposite. They are part of the same long American story. One honors sacrifice in war; the other honors the struggle to expand freedom. Both ask us to remember real people who lived, worked, and shaped the nation we inherited. 

Across Texas today, members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans are gathered at historic monuments and cemeteries not to divide, but to educate — to share the local history of the men buried here and the communities that grew around them. We believe that preserving history and honoring those who came before us is compatible with a society that continues striving toward greater understanding and unity. 

History is not something to be feared or erased. It is something to be studied, remembered, and learned from. On this day, we honor the dead, respect the living, and reaffirm our belief that Texas and America are strong enough to hold all of their history. 

Shelby K. Little 
Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
Commander, Texas Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans