ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Commemoration of the American Civil War

The American Civil War was a very important and big fight that happened a long time ago between two groups of people who lived in the same country but disagreed on some very big things like slavery and states' rights. The war lasted for four years and finally ended in 1865 when the good guys (Union) won against the bad guys (Confederacy).

In the United States today, people still remember and talk about this war because it was a very important moment in our history. We want to make sure we remember what happened so that we can learn from it and make sure it never happens again.

One way people remember the Civil War is through commemoration. This means we set aside special days or events to honor and remember the people who fought and died in the war. We might have big ceremonies or parades, or we might just have quiet moments of reflection to think about what happened and why it mattered.

There are many different ways people commemorate the Civil War. Some people might visit important battle sites or monuments, others might read books or watch movies about the war. Some people might even reenact (act out) battles or dress up in costumes from the time period to get a better understanding of what it was like.

Overall, commemoration is a way for us to remember and honor the people who fought in the Civil War, as well as to learn about our history and what we can do to create a better future.