Mississippi Governor: Controversy About Confederate History Month Ain't Diddly

Obama Rips VA Gov. McDonnell Over Confederate History Month Debacle

Sons Of The Confederacy: Slavery Was Not A Cause Of The Civil War

VA Gov. Bob McDonnell Apologizes Over Confederate History Recognition

After enduring blistering national criticism for removing language about slavery from his declaration recognizing Confederate History Month, yesterday Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell issued an apology and amended the language in the declaration.

A day earlier, McDonnell said he left out any reference to slavery in the original seven-paragraph proclamation because he wanted to include issues he thought were most "significant" to Virginia. He also said the document was designed to promote tourism in the state, which next year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. However, Wednesday afternoon the governor issued a mea culpa for the document's exclusion of slavery. "The proclamation issued by this Office designating April as Confederate History Month contained a major omission," McDonnell said in a statement. "The failure to include any reference to slavery was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed."

McDonnell's amended declaration adds the sentence: "Slavery was an evil and inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent eradication from our borders."

VA Gov. Bob McDonnell Recognizes Confederate History Month

VA Gov. Bob McDonnell has issued an order recognizing April as Confederate History Month, saying that it's important "to understand the sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War." McDonnell's most recent order of this type recognized Christian Heritage Week.

April’s Confederate History Month recognition is at least the fourth proclamation McDonnell has issued since his inauguration in January, according to the governor’s Web site. The previous proclamation recognized March 7-13, 2010 as Christian Heritage Week and quoted Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Patrick Henry, George Mason citing religion or Jesus in comments. “These, and many other truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were statesmen of the highest caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their religious convictions, principles and faith,“ it states, before calling upon a special designation for the week.

Other states that recognize Confederate History Month: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. McDonnell made today's announcement in advance of next week's 149th anniversary of Virginia's secession from the Union.