Hey everyone Jody here over the next week or so we're bringing you a few of our favorite episodes from the archives

Some people might call them reruns but we like to call them favorite episodes from the archives

But in the run-up to Memorial Day, we thought we'd bring you some stories about war and

the cost of war.

We'll be back with new episodes soon, including some conversations about Kelly's brand new book, some more election-related coverage and of course a bunch of stories

that we are excited to talk about. In the meantime enjoy these episodes and

don't forget to sign up for the newsletter at this day pod.com for lots more.

Hello and welcome to this day in esoteric political history from Radiotopia.

My name is Jody Avergan.

This day March 27, 1863, Confederate President Jefferson Davis proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer.

Newspapers throughout the South ran notices that read in part,

I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, do issue this,

my proclamation setting apart Friday the 27th of March

as a day of fasting humiliation and prayer. I do also invite the people of the said states to

repair on that day to the usual places of public worship there to

join in prayer to Almighty God that he will continue his merciful protection

over our cause. So there were a number of proclamations like this in the Civil War era

calling for fasting and prayer in the South and in the North and they do offer a

really interesting glimpse into the way that religion mixed in with the cause of the Civil War,

not to mention the fact that a day of fasting might also help with the many food shortages of the time.

So here to discuss it all are, as always,

Nicole Hammer of Vanderbilt and Kelly Carter Jackson of Welsley. Hello there.

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