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Robert E. Lee had represented Virginia in Statuary Hall since 1909. Last night it was removed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginias-statue-of-gen-robert-e-lee-removed-from-us-capitol/2020/12/20/07cb9c18-432a-11eb-975c-d17b8815a66d_story.html
Many communities, especially across former Confederate states like Texas, viewed the installation of Lee in Statuary Hall as a reflection of sectional reconciliation.
[The Brownsville Herald, August 13, 1909]
![Many communities, especially across former Confederate states like Texas, viewed the installation of Lee in Statuary Hall as a reflection of sectional reconciliation.[The Brownsville Herald, August 13, 1909]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Epw88PLXEAIAmeT.png "Many communities, especially across former Confederate states like Texas, viewed the installation of Lee in Statuary Hall as a reflection of sectional reconciliation.[The Brownsville Herald, August 13, 1909]")
[The Brownsville Herald, August 13, 1909]
Sectional reconciliation, however, was never complete, especially among members of the Grand Army of the Republic.
[The Fort Mills Times, April 12, 1910]
![Sectional reconciliation, however, was never complete, especially among members of the Grand Army of the Republic.[The Fort Mills Times, April 12, 1910]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Epw9XeyXUAAp11T.png "Sectional reconciliation, however, was never complete, especially among members of the Grand Army of the Republic.[The Fort Mills Times, April 12, 1910]")
![Sectional reconciliation, however, was never complete, especially among members of the Grand Army of the Republic.[The Fort Mills Times, April 12, 1910]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Epw9YQAXIAAJSLj.png "Sectional reconciliation, however, was never complete, especially among members of the Grand Army of the Republic.[The Fort Mills Times, April 12, 1910]")
[The Fort Mills Times, April 12, 1910]
Things quieted down only after the G.A.R. voted to postpone any further protests at the end of its annual encampment in my hometown of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1910.
[Salt Lake Herald-Republican, September 24, 1910]
![Things quieted down only after the G.A.R. voted to postpone any further protests at the end of its annual encampment in my hometown of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1910.[Salt Lake Herald-Republican, September 24, 1910]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Epw9nKbXIAEeatm.png "Things quieted down only after the G.A.R. voted to postpone any further protests at the end of its annual encampment in my hometown of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1910.[Salt Lake Herald-Republican, September 24, 1910]")
[Salt Lake Herald-Republican, September 24, 1910]
Children continued to honor Lee in Statuary Hall by placing a wreath in front of his statue on his birthday.
[Evening star, January 29, 1922]
![Children continued to honor Lee in Statuary Hall by placing a wreath in front of his statue on his birthday.[Evening star, January 29, 1922]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Epw_QJdXIAItY2D.png "Children continued to honor Lee in Statuary Hall by placing a wreath in front of his statue on his birthday.[Evening star, January 29, 1922]")
[Evening star, January 29, 1922]
Here is another one from 1928. Always remember that statue/monument dedications and subsequent commemorations are, in large part, about educating children.
[Evening star, January 20, 1928]
![Here is another one from 1928. Always remember that statue/monument dedications and subsequent commemorations are, in large part, about educating children.[Evening star, January 20, 1928]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpxANInW4Ac7VNn.png "Here is another one from 1928. Always remember that statue/monument dedications and subsequent commemorations are, in large part, about educating children.[Evening star, January 20, 1928]")
[Evening star, January 20, 1928]
The Stars and Stripes draped over the Lee statue is a reminder that by 1935 he had become a national hero for many white Americans.
[The Sunday Star, January 20, 1935]
![The Stars and Stripes draped over the Lee statue is a reminder that by 1935 he had become a national hero for many white Americans. [The Sunday Star, January 20, 1935]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpxBh9SXcAMXFpk.png "The Stars and Stripes draped over the Lee statue is a reminder that by 1935 he had become a national hero for many white Americans. [The Sunday Star, January 20, 1935]")
[The Sunday Star, January 20, 1935]
It's hard not to interpret this ceremony as part of a broader push against civil rights legislation following Brown v. Board of Ed.
[Evening star, January 20, 1956]
![It's hard not to interpret this ceremony as part of a broader push against civil rights legislation following Brown v. Board of Ed.[Evening star, January 20, 1956]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpxCPJ0XIAEIZX4.png "It's hard not to interpret this ceremony as part of a broader push against civil rights legislation following Brown v. Board of Ed.[Evening star, January 20, 1956]")
[Evening star, January 20, 1956]
A reminder that statues honoring the president and vice-president of the Confederacy still stand in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.
This is a great opportunity for history teachers to introduce the subject of statues to their students. Have them search for the two statues in Statuary Hall that represent their state and debate whether they are still appropriate.
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art?search&artist=All&collection%5B119%5D=119&state=All&location=All
https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art?search&artist=All&collection%5B119%5D=119&state=All&location=All
