Julia Pierpont Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Sunday, May 28th. There are until the next observance.

Julia Pierpont Day is held every year on May 28 in honor of Julia Augusta Robertson Pierpont’s contributions to the founding of “Decoration Day,” which was eventually renamed “Memorial Day” and marked on May 30. Memorial Day is commemorated to remember all of the men and women who died while serving in the United States military services. Julia Pierpont, the wife of restored West Virginia governor Francis Pierpont, began all of this in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. Pierpont saw that the soldiers’ graves looked to have been abandoned after the war. Both the husband and wife took the initiative to adorn the graves of those who lost their lives to serve mankind. It was later proclaimed an official holiday in West Virginia in 2005.

📆 When is Julia Pierpont Day?

This year, Julia Pierpont Day is on May 28th. It is the 4th Sunday in May; in 2024, it is on Tuesday.

Countdown to Julia Pierpont Day

Did you know: Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Athenians observed yearly days and feasts to memorialize their loved ones.

You can also learn all fascinating things you didn’t know about and facts about May 28, 2023.

📜 History of Julia Pierpont Day

Throughout the Civil War, the Pierponts backed Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army. They were stuck in enemy territory in Richmond, Virginia. This became a reality when some of the previous supporters set fire to Pierpont’s library, since living in an enemy’s land is typically accompanied with disruptions and perturbations. Because the Governor gave amnesty to all Confederates who had served in the war, there was trouble between him and the Unionists.

Julia saw that the graves of the dead looked to have been neglected and were in terrible shape during this adverse scenario. Teaching at African American schools in 1866, Julia and her companion, Miss Woolsey, adorned the soldiers’ graves in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, West Virginia. Along with Miss Woolsey, her pupils, and a large number of other kids, Julia went to the cemetery to assist in clearing it out and placing flowers on the graves. They finished the assignment in just 10 days, despite the fact that it was unpleasant and arduous and included constructing a fence to enclose the new Union cemetery. 10,000 people (mainly black locals) gathered at the cemetery on May 1, 1865, to hear sermons and sing in remembrance of the dead soldiers.

Julia’s deed received both approval and criticism. “Decoration Day” was observed later on May 30, and thousands of people came to Richmond to decorate Confederate graves. Congress later proclaimed Memorial Day or Decoration Day a federal holiday as a result of other early and local commemorations. The list of awardees was expanded to include all military personnel who died while on duty during World War I. In 1987, Julia Pierpont was recognized as the instigator of the yearly “Memorial Day” festivities by the West Virginia University Public History Program in association with the Center for Women’s Studies and the Historic Preservation Unit.

☑️ Julia Pierpont Day facts

A long road
It took almost a hundred years for Decoration Day to be renamed Memorial Day.

The day’s origin
Although there has always been competition between different localities over who honors the day first, Waterloo was awarded federal status in 1866.

The tradition of wearing a red flower
The custom is tied to the poetry in which the battle-dead warriors buried on the grounds covered with poppies were given a voice.

Things to do on Julia Pierpont Day

Be thankful to a veteran
Veterans are those who have served in the military for an extended period of time and have witnessed many conflicts. On this day, folks can thank at least one veteran for their services in defending them against adversaries.

Visit the cemeteries and memorials
People can pay their respects to those who lost their lives to defend others by visiting Julia Pierpont’s tomb and other cemeteries. Decorate, clean, and organize a prayer ceremony at the graves for the deceased’s comfort.

Recognize the efforts of Julia Pierpont
Julia Pierpont Day may be marked by paying tribute to her achievements and reading her biography. Her kindness and charity throughout her life demonstrate that she was a genuinely amazing human being.

📅 Julia Pierpont Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 May 28 Sunday
2024 May 28 Tuesday
2025 May 28 Wednesday
2026 May 28 Thursday
2027 May 28 Friday

Discover all May holidays, including Special Interest and other American holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Julia Pierpont Day. So be sure to check back soon.