Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Dear President Obama

Get bent.

(NOTE: According to Wikipedia,

The holiday was first observed in 1921[2] as "Americanization Day,"[3] and was intended to counterbalance the celebration of Labour Day on May Day (May 1), an internationally celebrated holiday for the commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886.

Loyalty Day is celebrated with parades and ceremonies in several U.S. communities, like Batavia, Illinois, although many people in the United States remain unaware of it. Although a legal holiday, it is not a federal holiday, and is not commonly observed.

It was made an official holiday by the U.S. Congress on July 18, 1958 (Public Law 85-529).[4][5] Following the passage of this law, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1959 the first official observance of Loyalty Day. [6]

With the exception of Eisenhower in 1959 and 1960, and the years 1966 thru 1974, Loyalty day has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since its inception as a legal holiday in 1958.[7]

Pardon me for being surprised I never heard it proclaimed before.)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

How refreshingly candid you are. Makes me smile.

Drang said...

In fact, I got that a lot on my NCOERs: "His candor is refreshing." Translation: Not enough diplomacy to be a Sergeant Major. When First Sergeant, will give his Company Commander heart attacks on a regular basis.

Unknown said...

While I am familiar with the Pagan festival (Beltane for Celts and those of us who were involved in the SCA). And I've known of the existence of labor day - this is the first time I've seen any history on it - I think I prefer Beltane to Labor Day - seems to be much cheerier.

The crap in Seattle yesterday disgusts me to no end. Sure as hell not a celebration - mostly an excuse to be asshats

Drang said...

I need to make a note next year to start the countdown to "Victims of Communism Day", which is another suggestion for what May 1 should be.

Anonymous said...

I caught your initial post of this by the way when you hurled the f word. I wondered why you backed off. That first pitch really had me grinning.

Drang said...

When I discovered that the original proclamation was made when I was about three months old, I decided it was a little strong. Not his original error.

Knew there was something I didn't like about Eisenhower...