Loyalty Day

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Loyalty Day
Observed byUnited States
CelebrationsSpecial day "for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom"[1]
DateMay 1
Frequencyannual

Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 in the

Second Red Scare
.

History

The holiday was first observed in 1921, during the First Red Scare.[2] It was originally called "Americanization Day,"[2] and it was intended to replace the May 1 ("May Day") celebration of the International Workers' Day,[3] which commemorates the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago.[4] The need for Loyalty Day was recognized in response to the October Revolution in Russia.[3] One of the first instances of a celebration held for Americanization day was on May 1, 1930, when 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York's Union Square to promote patriotism.[2]

During the

U.S. Congress on April 27, 1955,[5] and made an official reoccurring holiday on July 18, 1958 (Public Law 85-529).[1][6] President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1955, the first observance of Loyalty Day.[7] In 1958, Eisenhower urged Congress to move Child Health Day to the First Monday in October, to avoid conflicting with Loyalty Day.[6][8] Loyalty Day has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since its inception as a legal holiday in 1958.[9][10]

Celebrations/Activities

Loyalty Day events, mostly parades, have been held in:

Statutory definition

Loyalty Day is defined as follows in 36 U.S.C. § 115:

(a) Designation.— May 1 is Loyalty Day.
(b) Purpose.— Loyalty Day is a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.
(c) Proclamation.— The President is requested to issue a proclamation—
(1) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Loyalty Day; and
(2) inviting the people of the United States to observe Loyalty Day with appropriate ceremonies in schools and other suitable places.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "36 U.S. Code § 115 – Loyalty Day". Legal Information Institute. New York: Cornell University Law School. August 12, 1998. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "Patriotic Days". VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Not to be a downer, but here's a reality check on 'Loyalty Day'". Los Angeles Times (Editorial). April 29, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  4. ^ "A short history of May Day". Libcom.org. September 11, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  5. ^ "84th Congress, 1st Session" (PDF). United States Statutes at Large. 69. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 44. 1955.
  6. ^ a b Eisenhower, Dwight D. (July 18, 1958). Gerhard Peters; John T. Woolley (eds.). "Statement by the President Upon Signing Resolution Designating May 1 as Loyalty Day". The American Presidency Project. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  7. ^ Eisenhower, Dwight D. (April 28, 1955). Gerhard Peters; John T. Woolley (eds.). "Proclamation 3091 – Loyalty Day, 1955". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  8. ^ Eisenhower, Dwight D. (April 18, 1959). "Presidential Proclamation 3282 declaring May 1, 1959 Loyalty Day". OPA – Online Public Access. National Archives. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Search Results: Loyalty Day". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  10. ^ Office of the Federal Register (1967). The Code of Federal regulations of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 42-43.
  11. ^ "Golden Shores, AZ: Come to the 34th Annual Loyalty Day Parade and Event today". Zach News. April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Loyalty Day Parade May 2, 2020". Department of Colorado VFW. February 6, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "42nd Annual 18th District Loyalty Day Parade has been canceled". Patch. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Report, Times Staff (April 25, 2022). "LOYALTY DAY IS THIS WEEKEND". Brazil Times. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  15. ^ Wright, John (April 24, 2018). "VFW hosts Loyalty Day Parade Saturday". Murray Ledger. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Drew, Trevor (April 27, 2019). "Loyalty Day Parade returns for 48th year". Arenac County Independent. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Norfolk Loyalty Day Parade". Sandhills Express. May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  18. ^ "loyalty-day-happening". Newport News Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  19. ^ Hult, Jamie (April 21, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade on hold – for now". Brandon Valley Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  20. ^ Long, Trish (April 25, 2019). "El Paso answers Russia's May Day with Loyalty Day for the first time in 1964". El Paso Times. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  21. ^ Dritschilo, Gordon (April 7, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade canceled". Rutland Herald. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  22. ^ Heffernan, Marissa (January 14, 2020). "Long Beach Loyalty Days will continue on under direction of Elks Lodge". The Daily News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  23. ^ "Loyalty Day Parade – Freedom, WI". Winnebago County. Retrieved April 28, 2020.

External links