History of Jefferson Davis in Timeline

Jefferson F. Davis was the sole president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-1865). Prior to the war, he served as a Democrat representing Mississippi in both the U.S. House and Senate. Additionally, he held the position of U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce.

1906: Death of Varina Davis and Burial Beside Her Husband

When Varina Davis died in 1906, she was buried beside her husband, Jefferson Davis, in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

1907: Unveiling of the Jefferson Davis Memorial

On this day in 1907, around 200,000 people attended the unveiling of the Jefferson Davis Memorial at Richmond, Virginia.

1961: Centennial Celebration of Davis's Inauguration

In 1961, a centennial celebration reenacted Davis's inauguration in Montgomery, Alabama, with fireworks and a cast of thousands in period costumes.

October 17, 1978: Posthumous Restoration of U.S. Citizenship

On October 17, 1978, Davis's U.S. citizenship was posthumously restored after the Senate passed Joint Resolution 16.

May 2020: Toppling of Davis's Statue in Richmond

After the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Davis's statue on his Richmond monument—along with the statues of other figures who were considered racists—was toppled by protesters.

February 2022: Removal of Davis Statue Pedestal in Richmond

As part of its initiative to dismantle Confederate monuments, the Richmond City Council funded the removal of the statue's pedestal, which was completed in February 2022, and ownership of its artifacts was given to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.