Online petitions call for renaming of Jefferson Davis Highway in Virginia

Thousands are calling for the renaming of a highway in northern Virginia because of its ties to a confederate leader.

Jefferson Davis Highway, also known as Route 1, passes through much of northern Virginia and south to the North Carolina line.

The roadway, which came into existence in the 1920's, was sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was planned as a transcontinental highway that would begin in Washington, D.C., pass through many southern states, and end in San Diego.

Calls to remove the name have appeared on Change.org and on RootsAction.org.