Washington (CNN) Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a proclamation declaring Saturday "Nathan Bedford Forrest Day," in honor of the Confederate Army general who was a slave trader and an early member of the Ku Klux Klan.

Under Tennessee law, governors are required to proclaim six dates as "days of special observance" including July 13 as "Nathan Bedford Forrest Day"; June 3 as "Memorial Day" or "Confederate Decoration Day"; and January 19 as "Robert E. Lee Day."

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

sparking backlash on social media from some lawmakers and local leaders. The Republican governor signed the proclamation on Wednesday,sparking backlash on social media from some lawmakers and local leaders.

The controversy sprung up as there's a nationwide debate about removing some of the country's Confederate monuments, memorials and symbols. Defenders say the memorials mark history and honor heritage, while critics argue they are racist symbols of America's dark legacy of slavery.

"Nathan Bedford Forrest is a recognized military figure in American history and a native Tennessean," the proclamation says.

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