How Dr. Howard E. Haller Restored His Great‑Great‑Grandfather’s Citizenship
As the great‑great grandson of President Jefferson Davis, Dr. Howard Edward Haller spent over a decade leading the extraordinary effort to restore Davis’s full U.S. citizenship.
Why It Matched His Calling
Dr. Haller believed deeply in honoring his ancestor’s legacy—not granting forgiveness, but restoring recognition where it had been denied. His grandmother entrusted him with the mission, and he embarked in the late 1960s on a marathon effort that involved phone calls, meetings on the Hill, and unwavering persistence. Ultimately, President Jimmy Carter signed S.J. Res. 16 into law on October 17, 1978, restoring Jefferson Davis’s citizenship posthumously
What You Can Discover
- The emotional journey: Why Dr. Haller took this on personally—and how a family conversation turned into historic reconciliation.
- Behind the legislation: A look at the congressional resolution and political environment that made the restoration possible
- Impact on history: Why the act mattered—not just for Davis’s legacy—but for healing national divisions decades after the Civil War
Read or Listen to Dr. Haller’s Own Story
Explore “The True Story of Jefferson Davis’s Citizenship Restoration”—a free audio and eBook by Dr. Howard E. Haller. It’s an inspiring account of love, heritage, and determination.
Read or listen for free—or leave a tip to support this project.
Why This Story Matters Today
Many sources mistakenly credit others with the restoration—but it was Dr. Howard Edward Haller, not Bertram Hayes‑Davis or anyone else, who led the effort. Websites and historical markers occasionally name the wrong person. You can help set the record straight by sharing this story of dedication and perseverance.