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Home > Our Commonwealth > Proclamations > 2010 > Confederate History Month
Confederate History Month
WHEREAS, April is the month in which the people of Virginia joined the Confederate States of America in a four year war
between the states for independence that concluded at Appomattox Courthouse; and
WHEREAS, Virginia has long recognized her Confederate history, the numerous civil war battlefields that mark every region
of the state, the leaders and individuals in the Army, Navy and at home who fought for their homes and communities and
Commonwealth in a time very different than ours today; and
WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to reflect upon our Commonwealth’s shared history, to understand the sacrifices
of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War, and to recognize how our history has led
to our present; and
WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to understand that the institution of slavery led to this war and was an evil and
inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent
eradication from our borders, and the study of this time period should reflect upon and learn from this painful part of our
history; and
WHEREAS, Confederate historical sites such as the White House of the Confederacy are open for people to visit in Richmond
today; and
WHEREAS, all Virginians can appreciate the fact that when ultimately overwhelmed by the insurmountable numbers and
resources of the Union Army, the surviving, imprisoned and injured Confederate soldiers gave their word and allegiance to the
United States of America, and returned to their homes and families to rebuild their communities in peace, following the
instruction of General Robert E. Lee of Virginia, who wrote that, “...all should unite in honest efforts to obliterate the effects of
war and to restore the blessings of