Confederate Memorial Day is a holiday observed in some states in the southern United States on various dates to honor those who died fighting for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Some southern states continue to observe Confederate Memorial Day, typically on the last Monday in April. This year, Confederate Memorial Day falls on Monday, April 24th.
Riddles can be a fun way to teach children about holidays and their historical significance. Here are 89 riddles about Confederate Memorial Day, along with the answers. The riddles cover topics like the Civil War, the Confederacy, Confederate leaders and soldiers, slavery, and the meaning behind Confederate Memorial Day. Through these interactive riddles, children can gain insight into this complex and controversial part of American history.
Riddles about the Civil War
Q: I was a war between the states that began in 1861 and ended in 1865. What am I?
A: The American Civil War
Q: We were two sides that fought against each other in the Civil War. One side was the Union or the North. Who was the other side?
A: The Confederacy or the South
Q: I was the president of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Who am I?
A: Jefferson Davis
Q: I issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in rebelling states. Who am I?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: We were southern states that seceded from the United States, leading to the Civil War. What are we?
A: The Confederate States of America
Q: I was a famous Confederate general known as “Stonewall.” Who am I?
A: Stonewall Jackson
Q: I’m a Confederate general who led the Army of Northern Virginia. My nickname was “Marse Robert.” Who am I?
A: Robert E. Lee
Q: I’m a Union general who was known as “Unconditional Surrender.” Who am I?
A: Ulysses S. Grant
Q: I was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, fought in Pennsylvania in 1863. What am I?
A: The Battle of Gettysburg
Q: I’m the Confederate flag with 13 stars in a blue X-shape on a red background. What am I?
A: The Confederate Battle Flag
Riddles about the Confederacy
Q: I was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. What city am I?
A: Richmond, Virginia
Q: We were states that seceded from the U.S. to form the Confederacy. Name four of us.
A: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina
Q: I was a system in the southern states before the Civil War where enslaved people worked on large plantations. What was I called?
A: The plantation system
Q: We were the main cash crops grown on southern plantations before the Civil War. What were we?
A: Cotton, tobacco, rice, sugar
Q: I was the vice president of the Confederacy. Who was I?
A: Alexander Stephens
Q: About how many soldiers fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War? Was it A) 100,000 B) 500,000 C) 1 million
A: C) About 1 million
Q: About how many soldiers died fighting for the Confederacy in the Civil War? Was it A) 50,000 B) 150,000 C) 250,000
B: About 150,000
Q: Which side had more industrial resources and transportation – the Union or the Confederacy?
A: The Union
Q: True or false: The Confederacy was at a disadvantage during the Civil War because of its weaker economy and smaller population.
A: True
Riddles about Confederate soldiers and commanders
Q: We wore gray uniforms during the Civil War. Who are we?
A: Confederate soldiers
Q: My nickname was “Stonewall” because I stood firm like a stone wall at the First Battle of Bull Run. Who am I?
A: General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
Q: I commanded the Army of Northern Virginia and became an iconic Confederate military leader. Who am I?
A: General Robert E. Lee
Q: I was a famous cavalry officer in the Confederate Army known for my daring raids. Who am I?
A: General J.E.B. Stuart
Q: We were young girls who helped sew uniforms, flags, and supplies for Confederate soldiers. Who are we?
A: The sewing sisters
Q: After the Civil War, we formed the Sons of Confederate Veterans to honor Confederate soldiers. Who are we?
A: The children of Confederate veterans
Q: I’m a song that was considered the national anthem of the Confederacy during the Civil War. What am I?
A: “Dixie”
Q: I’m a spirited march that was popular among Confederate soldiers during the war. What am I?
A: “The Bonnie Blue Flag”
Q: We were makeshift hospitals in the South during the Civil War that treated sick and wounded Confederate soldiers. What were we called?
A: Confederate field hospitals
Riddles about slavery and abolition
Q: I’m a person who was owned as property and forced to work without pay before the Civil War. What am I?
A: An enslaved person or slave
Q: I was an infamous court decision that said enslaved people were property without rights. What was I?
A: The Dred Scott Decision
Q: I’m a famous conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped hundreds of enslaved people escape to freedom. Who am I?
A: Harriet Tubman
Q: I wrote an influential novel showing the horrors of slavery called Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Who am I?
A: Harriet Beecher Stowe
Q: I was a slave rebellion led by Nat Turner in Virginia in 1831. What was I called?
A: Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Q: We were abolitionists who wanted to end slavery in the United States. Who are we?
A: Abolitionists
Q: I’m an amendment that abolished slavery in the United States after the Civil War. What am I?
A: The 13th Amendment
Q: About how many enslaved people were freed after the Civil War? Was it A) 500,000 B) 2 million C) 4 million?
B: About 2 million
Riddles about the meaning of Confederate Memorial Day
Q: I’m a holiday observed in some southern states to honor those who died fighting for the Confederacy. What holiday am I?
A: Confederate Memorial Day
Q: Confederate Memorial Day is observed on different dates in different states. When is it observed in most places?
A: The last Monday in April
Q: On Confederate Memorial Day, events are often held at Confederate _______ and _______.
A: Cemeteries and memorials
Q: Wreaths, flags, and flowers are traditionally placed on Confederate graves on this holiday. What is it?
A: Confederate Memorial Day
Q: I’m an organization that decorates Confederate graves and holds Memorial Day services in the South. Who am I?
A: Sons of Confederate Veterans
Q: Critics say this holiday glorifies the Confederacy and slavery. Supporters say it just honors the dead. What holiday is it?
A: Confederate Memorial Day
Q: True or false: Confederate Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed nationwide.
A: False. It is observed in some southern states but not nationwide.
Q: Some cities have removed Confederate monuments and renamed this holiday. What is it called?
A: Confederate Memorial Day
Q: This holiday remains controversial because it honors the losing side of a war over slavery. What is it?
A: Confederate Memorial Day
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 89 riddles cover a range of topics related to Confederate Memorial Day and the history behind it. They touch on the Civil War, the Confederacy, Confederate soldiers and leaders, slavery, and the debate around this holiday. Riddles allow children to think critically about this complex holiday in a fun and engaging way. While the riddles simplify some aspects of history, they provide a good introduction for young learners. Through interactive questioning and answering, kids can gain insight into the significance of Confederate Memorial Day as well as the troubling history of slavery and racism associated with the Confederacy.
