But in Alabama and Mississippi, Monday is also Robert E. Lee Day in honor of the Confederate general. The two states recognize King and Lee on the third Monday in January. Their state governments ...

In addition to Confederate Memorial Day, Alabama also celebrates Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s birthday on the same day that the U.S. observes a holiday for civil rights leader Rev. Martin ...

He enlisted at age 16 and served in Company A of the 10th Alabama Infantry. He was present at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union forces in April 1865.

Mississippi also celebrates Robert E. Lee Day on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Alabama is the only other state that combines the Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. holidays.