April 9th is Appomattox Day

The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865, in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, when Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant of the Union army accepted the surrender of General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy. The Confederate soldiers were allowed to keep their horses and return to their homes; the officers were allowed to retain their side arms and swords as well. Thus ended the bloody four-year conflict that had cost more than half a million lives.

The most widespread celebration of Appomattox Day took place in 1965 during the Civil War centennial year. Thousands of people attended the ceremonies at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Participants included the Union leader's grandson, Ulysses S. Grant III, as well as Robert E. Lee IV, great-grandson of the Confederate leader. The day was noted across the country—but particularly in the South—with costumed pageants, books and articles reflecting on the war, and concerts of martial music. Although the anniversary is not observed on a yearly basis, reenactments of the historic surrender are held periodically.