National Vietnam War Veterans Day Today

From Wikipedia.

This is a U.S. holiday observed annually on March 29.  It recognizes veterans who served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.

March 29 was chosen as the day to commemorate it because March 29, 1973, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded on this day and the last U.S.  combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam.

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day?

Of course, today, October 12, is officially Columbus Day, so named for Christopher Columbus coming across the Atlantic Ocean and "discovering" the New World, though he didn't know it at the time.

This is a big day for Italians, since he was sailing for Spain, but born in Italy.

However, I don't think you can "discover" a place when there are already people living in it and there is evidence that Leif Erickson was here before Columbus.

But, Columbus' arrival was noteworthy because it began the long process of the Western Hemisphere becoming Europeanized and the United States being what it is today.

It was a tragedy for the people living here, however.  They ended up essentially losing everything.  To my way of thinking, what happened to the Indians was worse than what happened to the Blacks who came as an enslaved people.

Personally, I would keep Columbus Day and then commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day on another day.

Both Are Very Worthy Observances.

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 4:

7.  Celebrating with fireworks is as old as the holiday it self.  At the first celebration in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, 13 cannons were fired, one for each colony.  That night, 13 fireworks were shot off in the city commons.

The tradition of fireworks has gotten bigger since then.  In 1934, American Arctic explorers set off fireworks even though it was 33 degrees below zero.

8.  And today, fireworks are a massive industry.  The American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spent over $1 billion for fireworks in 2017.  That number has tripled over the last twenty  years.

Judging just by the folks around our subdivision Saturday and last night, I'd say a WHOLE lot of it was spent here.

9.  July 4 is the biggest hot dog day of the year.  Americans consume roughly 150 million hot dogs on July 4, enough to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles five times.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is a century old, takes place every July 4.  The record, currently held by Joey Chestnut, is 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Have a Dog On Me.  --RoadHot

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 3: The Philippines

5.  Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on July 4.

6.  The United States isn't the only country to celebrate independence day on the 4th of July.  The Philippines gained its independence from U.S. colonial control on July 4, 1946, and that day became a national holiday.

In 1962, however, due to rising Filipino nationalism and resentment to prior American colonialism it was changed to June 12.  July 4 is still on the books as "Philippine Republic Day" but is not much celebrated.

--Cooter

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 1: July 2

From the July 4, 2018 USA Today "9 things you didn't know about the Fourth of July" Caroline Simon.

1.  Congress did not actually vote for independence on July 4.  Twelve of the 13 states/colonies approved an independence resolution on July 2.  New York did not do so until July 9.

Many of the delegates did not sign it until as late as August 2.  John Adams insisted the annual celebration should be July 2 and refused to attend anything on July 4.

2.  July 4th was not an official holiday until almost a century later.  It was not so designated until 1870 and it wasn't until 1941 that it became a paid holiday for federal employees.

Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Coot4

How About a Kosciuszko Day?-- Part 1: Another Polish Fighter in the American Revolution

From the March 4, 2018, Chicago Tribune "Kosciuszko hard to say, but just as heroic as Pulaski" by Mary Wisniewski.

Monday, March 5 was Pulaski Day to honor hero of the American Revolution, Casimir Pulaski, father of American cavalry and who gave his life in the cause of freedom.  He is honored with his day and here in Chicago with Pulaski Road.

Chicago was once the home of the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw.  There is still a lot of them living along Milwaukee Avenue in one area of Chicago.  Polish immigrants have contributed greatly to the United States.

--Cooter

Veterans Day, Through the Ages-- Part 4: Name Changed to Veterans Day

The states, by actions of their legislatures had begun to make Armistice Day a state holiday already, but it took U.S. Congress until May 1938 to proclaim it as an official federal holiday.

It should be noted that there are no national holidays as the states retain the right to designate their own holidays.  The federal government can only designate holidays for federal employees and the District of Columbia.  Essentially, most states follow along with the federal designations.  That is why some states don't observe some national holidays.

As other wars came along, many if the veteran service organizations began lobbying to change Armistice Day to veterans Day to honor those who had fought in all wars, not just World War I.

They successfully achieved their goal in 1954 when Congress voted to change the name to veterans Day.

Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 1: Armistice Day

From the November 9, 2016, Hi-Liter by Sandra Landen Machaj.

It happens every year on November 11.  The nation celebrates Veterans Day.  Sadly, not all schools are out this day.  I understand that we have Memorial Day in May to honor those who have fallen and served, but I think another day of remembrance would definitely be in order.  As a teacher, I know that other teachers do not teach about the significance of these days.

Veterans Day was first known as Armistice Day, a day to commemorate the end of World War I or as it was originally known, the Great War.  A temporary cessation to the fighting agreed to begin on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 between the Allied and German forces.

This was not the official end of the war, as some believe.  That didn't take place until the Treaty of Versailles and not signed between Germany and the Allied nations until June 28, 1919.  At that signing, Allied interests were represented by British Prime Minister David Lloyd, French Premier George Clemenceau and U.S. President  Woodrow Wilson.

No School? Why?-- Part 7: Other Reasons

In 1978, Chicago Public Schools closed two days for Memorial Day because officials couldn't decide whether to close on the state-designated date or the federally designated date.

On Nov. 1, 1949, Kane County children got to wake up late because their teachers were getting a first-hand view of the country's business and industry."  The tour was intended to show teachers "what makes American profit system work."

No More Bad-Mouthing Business.  --Cooter

No School? Why?-- Part 4: The "Honors" Excuse

Letting kids out of school as a way to bestow honor on someone is commonplace.  Presidents Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Pulaski Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day are some of them in Chicago and Illinois.

In 1913, as part of the celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, schools were closed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

In 1939, children were urged to attend the American Legion parade September 26th instead of going to school.

Parochial and public schools were closed October 5, 1979, for Pope John Paul II's public Mass i Grant Park.  Public  school students stayed home on January 29, 1981, "to celebrate the return of the 52 hostages" from Iran.

As It Begins to Snow Again Right Now.  DaCoot

Let It Fly: Flag Day Always On June 14th

From the June 1-7, 2014, American Profile Magazine.

OK, we have a while to wait for it, but something top think about in nine months.  Probably the least commemorated and overlooked "special" day in the U.S..  Even I sometimes, well, quite often, forget about it.  But, with all this hoopla over the 200th anniversary of the flag's official song, the "Star-Spangled Banner" this is a good time to go with it.

I forget to put my U.S. flags up.

"No gifts are exchanged.  The post office stays open.  And few, if any get the day off work."

Flag Day is the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 (when the Continental Congress sanctioned a flag for the brand new United States).  President Woodrow Wilson officially established it as a day of observance.  It was sporadically observed until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day when everyone is encouraged to proudly display the colors.

So, Remember Next June 14th.  --Cooter

Talk Like a Pirate Day Vocab-- Part 1: "Arrrrggghhh!!

From the September 15, 2013, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus.

Avast There Me Matey!! It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day today, September 19th.

This day is always held on September 19th and is the brainchild of two friends, John Baur and Mark Summers, who, according to the newspaper, came up with the idea while playing raquetball.

However, to me, a better explanation would be in a bar over a few cocktails (perhaps grog).

The date was selected because it is Summers' wife's birthday.

Hey, it's something to do.

No Lubbers 'Lowed Round Here Today. Aye, Matey.  --Cooter