Alabama state offices are closed Monday for a holiday marking the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Davis, who was born in Kentucky and raised in Mississippi, served as the first and only president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865.
The holiday celebrates Davis' birthday, which was actually on June 3, 1808. Alabama is the only state to set aside a day to honor Davis.
Jefferson Davis Day is one of three Confederate-related state holidays in Alabama. The state jointly observes Robert E. Lee Day with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January. Alabama also marks Confederate Memorial Day in April.
There have been various efforts to abolish or change the name of Confederate-related holidays, but none have been successful.
Rep. Chris England, who is also chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, this year proposed legislation to remove Davis’ birthday as a state holiday and instead call it. “State Employee Appreciation Day.” He also proposed abolishing Confederate Memorial Day and instead make Election Day a state holiday.
Neither bill got a committee vote.
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