Bill > SR80

This resolution recognizes April 9, 2025, as "Appomattox Day" in Pennsylvania, commemorating the historic surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865, which effectively ended the American Civil War. The resolution highlights the significance of this event, particularly emphasizing the role of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) in blocking Lee's final route of retreat and the immediate impact on emancipation, with approximately 4,600 enslaved people gaining freedom that day. Drawing from Frederick Douglass's powerful reflections, the resolution underscores the importance of remembering the struggle for liberty and justice, while also noting the anniversary's long-standing recognition since 1866. By urging the designation of Appomattox Day as a legal holiday, the resolution seeks to honor the pivotal moment that marked the defeat of the Confederacy, the end of slavery, and a critical turning point in American history.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=R&bn=80