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

Holiday History

Mar 19 2026 | 00:10:36

00:00 / 00:10:36

Show Notes

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.

Other Episodes

Episode 1

March 16, 2026 • 00:06:39

St. Patrick's Day - Who Was the Real Saint Patrick and Why Did He Come to Ireland

Discover the real story behind St. Patrick's Day! Learn about the historical Saint Patrick—a Roman-British boy captured by Irish raiders who became a slave...

Episode 1

January 22, 2026 • 00:09:13

Presidential Power Ep. 1: The Fear of Creating a King

They had just escaped one king—the last thing America's founders wanted was to create another. In the sweltering summer of 1787, men gathered in...

Episode 1

March 16, 2026 • 00:06:45

Immigration: America Has Always Argued About Who Belongs Here

Explore 300+ years of America's complex relationship with immigration. Learn how debates about who belongs in America shaped the nation, from colonial German settlers...