The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) is an American fraternal service organization that was founded in Richmond, Virginia on 1 July 1896 by male descendants of Confederate veterans of the American Civil War. The SCV, along with the United Daughters of the Confederacy, erected and maintained Civil War memorials and graves, observed Confederate Memorial Day, and encouraged Southern historical study. During the early 21st century, the SCV also placed an emphasis on the right to display Confederate symbols in public.