Memorial Day

While he suggests no historical connection between the events in Charleston, South Carolina on May 1, 1865 and later Memorial Day (or Decoration Day) celebrations that came to be established at the end of May, David W. Blight's op-ed piece in today's New York Times tells a compelling story and provides the basis for an argument that the concept of Memorial Day originated with African-American recently freed slaves.

This item also appeared in today's Times. Mr. Wiedorfer's explanation of his action is characteristic of the heroic: “Something had to be done and someone had to do it. And I just did it. I can’t tell you why.”