Editor: In 1874 the Georgia General Assembly approved legislation adding as a new public holiday "The 26th day of April in each year -- commonly known as (Confederate) Memorial Day." April 26 marks the anniversary of the end of the Civil War for Georgia, for it was on this day in 1865 that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's surrender to General William T. Sherman at Durham Station, North Carolina became official. Johnston had been in charge of Georgia's defense, so the day marked the end of the war for Georgia.