WAR FOR SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE SESQUICENTENNIAL IS UNDERWAY

The SCV's official sesquicentennial logo.

By Mike Jones

A survey of War For Southern Independence Web Sites shows they have multiplied as we get closer to the kick-off date. Of course the kick-off date can be a variety of dates, including the 1860 presidential campaign, the 1860 election, and the secession of South Carolina. The newly elected commander-in-chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Michael Givens of South Carolina, officially proclaimed the sesquicentennial underway at national reunion of the organization in August.

The SCV has started a special sesquicentennial society that is raising money to build a new Confederate Museum as the group's international headquarters in Columbia, Tennessee. It is also creating a fund for promoting the bicentennial, 200th anniversary, for the years 2060-2065 as a commitment to the future of the organization and to the coming generation who will be the Sons of Confederate Veterans' leaders of the future. Here is a link to the SCV Sesquicentennial website, Confederate 150.

Here are some planned SCV Sesquicentennial events for 2011:

2010 - Charleston, SC- December 2010

The Confederate Heritage Trust, in partnership with the South Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, is currently in the planning stages for what will be a grand and memorable Secession play and Ball. This event will commemorate and celebrate the state of South Carolina for the second time becoming an independent nation on December 20th 1860. The evening will begin with a theatrical play recreating the Convention and the men that cast their votes to remove South Carolina from the union know as These United States. Many of the actors will be local and State celebrities and personalities.

Immediately following the play a grand ball and reception will follow with a joyous night of music, dancing, food and drink. The Charleston Gaillard auditorium will be our venue for both events. As an added bonus The State Archives and History Department will have the original Ordinance of Secession available for all to see and enjoy.

The Confederate Heritage Trust and the South Carolina Division would like to personally invite you to attend this once in a lifetime event! Please purchase tickets and sponsorships now while space is available and we look forward to seeing you there. Remember all tickets and sponsorships are tax deductible. For more information go to, Secession Gala.

2011 - Montgomery, AL-February 19, 2011

It is time to mark your calender for the SCV Sesquicentennial Event to be held in Montgomery, AL on Saturday February 19, 2011. This event will feature a parade up Dexter Avenue to the Alabama State Capitol Building, a reenactment of the swearing in of President Jefferson Davis and a selection of speakers at the Capitol Building. Just like was done for the Flag Rally in 2000 in Columbia, South Carolina and for the Hunley Funeral in Charleston in 2004 - it is IMPERATIVE that this event be well attended. We must show the world that we will not permit the History and Heritage of the Confederacy to be forgotten and unobserved during the Sesquicentennial.

Below are the locations of national SCV sesquicentennial events in the following years:

2012 - Richmond, VA

2013 - Jackson, MS

2014 - Atlanta (Marietta/Kennesaw), GA

2015 - Shreveport,