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Observing Labor Day

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labor day

Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September and has become known in the United States as the unofficially “official” end of summer. It’s a time that brings travelers home from summer vacations and to get the kids ready for another year in school.

The tradition to set one day aside each year to honor the state of labor and industry was first observed back in the late 1880’s. The idea was actually generated by a man named Peter McGuire, a president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, in 1882. He felt that labor workers should have day in which everyone who benefited from such workers could recognize the strength and unity of labor and trade organizations. He also suggested a parade and picnics to follow such an observance. Why did he choose September 5th to honor the day? Simply because it fell about halfway between Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, and Thanksgiving Day, celebrated during the later part of November.

The Central Labor Union adopted McGuire’s idea, and the first day Labor Day was first celebrated on September 5, 1882. New York City came alive with parades and speeches by various labor party and union members throughout the city. During the next couple of years, the idea of celebrating a Labor Day caught on in other states, and by 1894, the day had been made a legal holiday in thirty of them. Today, the holiday is celebrated and observed by every state in the Union. While many celebrate Labor Day as the last day of summer festivities, many keep the traditions of Labor Day alive by recognizing the efforts of laborers throughout the country. It’s a day during which attention can be drawn to the issue of worker’s rights and benefits, as well as improving the status of laborers everywhere throughout the world.

In 1954, an editorial in the Los Angeles Times stated, “Labor Day has become an integral part of the American way of life. It reflects a degree of optimism and mutual confidence on the part of all segments of society that few countries can equal.” The rights of workers and the decent payment of wages sets America apart from many other industrialized nations throughout the globe. Child labor laws in America prevent children from being trapped in lives of labor, denied a school education or other rights. Over the decades, American workers have fought for, and won, the right to equal pay for equal work, among both men and women employees.

While over the years, Labor Day has not only grown from an official day away from work, it’s celebrated as a day of family get-togethers, of trips to the beach and picnics in parks, where everyone, male or female can enjoy a day off work if they so choose.

New York City sees the largest parades and ceremonies, as hundreds of thousands of labor union employees and officials continue the legacy of Peter McGuire. The honor and respect paid to workers, no matter what their jobs, began as such a tiny seed in the mind of McGuire so many years ago. Now, not only hand laborers and carpenters enjoy the benefits of his dream, but also bankers, schoolteachers and craftsmen throughout America are able to recognize and reflect on the benefits of labor in our country. Worker’s rights and movements have made great strides in continuing American traditions of fair and decent living wages, and while Americans often complain that minimum wages aren’t enough to keep up with rising inflation and living costs, workers in America are protected against child labor, discrimination and unfair, cruel or even forced labor practices. For that, Americans need to spend a moment on Labor Day to remember and honor the efforts of Peter McGuire over a century ago as they enjoy a day free of work.

How to Buy and Care for Nylons, Pantyhose, and Stockings

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Nylons

Nylons, Pantyhose, and Stockings – Your Buying and Care Guide

Alright so you know that you can get your fair share of nylons, pantyhose and stockings at the mall in a number of stores, but do you know what to look for as it pertains to you and how to care for what you buy? There are so many women that simply go out and buy all of the above and have no idea what they are even looking for and then to make matters worse, when they are done wearing them they simply throw them in the washing machine. Yikes.

Just as pantyhose are not socks, they are also not quite the same as nylons and stockings. Here is a breakdown of the three different types of leg coverings and the ways to care for them:

1. Nylons: Alright this is going to get a bit confusing because nylons can come in the form of tights or stockings. If they are in the form of tights they will resemble more of a pantyhose style and if they are in the form of stockings then they will obviously resemble what they are; stockings. The basic thing to remember with nylons is that it is a type of material and can therefore be found in a variety of undergarment items. Nylon tends to be cheaper than materials like silk and are also worn more frequently.
2. Pantyhose: Break up the word, ‘panty’ and ‘hose.’ As it looks and sounds, pantyhose are essentially a pair of panties with hosiery attached to them. These are great for woman that have nice legs but perhaps some blemishes on them and they can also be purchased in a control top which will help hide a bit of those thick thighs and jelly belly. The traditional color is skin tone, but these days you can find them in a wide variety of colors.
3. Stockings: Stockings resemble socks and they are not attached to anything. Depending on the stocking they will come up to your upper thigh or to just above the knee and other various places on the leg as well. Stockings can come in a variety of materials such as nylon, silk, and other types of materials such as fish net. This is where the price difference will kick in. Obviously you are going to pay a heck of a lot more for a sexy, smooth silk pair of stockings versus the kind made of a cheap material that you can buy at almost any convenience store.

Dare to care

Regardless of what type of hosiery you decide is right for you have to know how to care for them properly. The best way is to hand-wash your hosiery. This can easily be accomplished by filling your sink with luke-warm water and using gentle detergent to wash your delicates. Gently swish them around but avoid getting too rough with them and never ring them out. When they are washed, you need only place them on a dry fluffy towel and let the air take over from there. It is common for women to hang their hosiery to dry but by doing this you are letting the weight of the water stretch your hosiery and this leads to an awkward fit.

If you do insist on using your washing machine get a sock bag that is mess and zippers up. Turn the hosiery inside out and then put it all in the sock bag. These are delicates so wash them on your delicate cycle and wash them alone. Above all else, never put them in your clothes dryer.

As far as what type of hosiery is right for you, that is really a personal call, but if you care properly for what you buy it will last a whole lot longer.

How to Celebrate National Transportation Week

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Transportation week

Every day, millions of products are shipped across the United States in big rigs, airplanes take passengers to foreign destinations, and cruise lines offer luxurious vacations to exotic ports of call. Billions of Americans commute to work every day, or cart the kids to school and run errands and visit with friends. Without transportation, the United States of America would come to a standstill.

Since the days of horses and buggies, public transportation has gotten people from point A to point B. Since the invention of Mr. Ford’s Model T to the latest landing of the space shuttle, Americans have been on the go. National Transportation Week is a time when all Americans should stop, if just for a moment or two, to realize the impact that wheels have had on not only our country, but also the world. Today, we consider transportation a part of our daily lives, and could not imagine anything else. However, there was a time when planes, trains and automobiles were not such a part of every day life and there are many still around to attest to that fact!

Every May 13th through 19th honors National Transportation Week, a week that should offer all Americans a chance to appreciate the inventions and determination of those who came before us to broaden horizons, to fly with the birds and to reach for the stars. National Transportation allows produce and goods to be transported to every part of the country, as well as providing employment for millions of Americans who work on our highways and streets every day. Building freeways, roads and bridges to help us get where we want to go, is a public work that was begun and has served the American people since the 1930’s. The United States Department of Transportation, or UDOT, as it is commonly known, makes sure that our nation’s highways and byways are kept as open and in good repair as possible.

Transportation connects people across the country. A journey that used to take six months or longer can now be accomplished in mere hours. A voyage across the ocean typically took months, yet today, Americans can fly to China in little over half a day. Sure, we have grown spoiled by such conveniences, and such an attitude may be perfectly natural since most of us grew up with wheels and planes. However, during National Transportation Week, take the time to envision your world without such luxuries. Many school children, and adults, are encouraged to do without their wheels for at least one day during this week, to fully appreciate how valuable such inventions have become in the daily life of all Americans. Even if we don’t own a car, we have buses or taxis, trains and subways to get us where we’re going.

Nearly four million miles of roads transverse the country, and allows imports and exports to be distributed around the nation and to other countries as well. Despite the growing numbers of vehicles on the road today, pollution and harmful emissions have decreased by almost 30% since the 1960’s. Researchers continue to create ways to decrease the greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions due to demands from the American public to ‘clean up our act’, and the United States is a leader in fuel economy regulations and emissions guidelines.
The next time you and your family is on a trip, think a moment about what you are doing and where you are going, and how difficult would be to get there without the vehicle you’re driving and the road you’re traveling on. Someone had to build that car and lay that road for you, and National Transportation Week is a time when all Americans should remember the dedication and determination of those who came before us who dreamed of the impossible.

What Is National Poison Prevention Week

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Poison

Did you know that over 50,000 children visit hospital emergency rooms every year due to accidental poisonings, and that every year, children still die from ingesting materials that they never should have been able to get their hands on in the first place?

Since the early 1960’s, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has tried to prevent such accidental poisonings by informing, teaching and instructing the general public in the safe use and storage of common household items that may seriously injure, or even kill, when ingested. Such items like cleaning solutions, medications, and even vitamins and minerals can be lethal, especially to small children, if taken in large enough amounts.

Established in 1961 when Congress passed a resolution designating the third week of every March as National Poison Prevention Week, the commission has since urged parents and child caregivers to make sure that harmful products are kept out of children’s reach at all times. They also attempt to warn parents and caregivers that a child’s natural curiosity is enough to overcome many verbal warnings and that it’s extremely important to make sure that potentially hazardous materials are stored or locked away out of their reach.

These items can include, but are not limited to baby oil, mouthwash, drain openers and oven cleaners. Of course, any type of drug or medication can be dangerous, and that includes cough syrups, aspirin, including baby aspirin, eye drops and hair gels and shampoos. Many young children are attracted by the bright colors and scents of many bathroom items, so make sure to always store them out of reach of babies and toddlers. Avoid taking medications in front of young children, as they are apt to mirror your actions.

More than two million poisonings occur in the United States alone every year, and most of those are avoidable. The majority of children affected by poisonings are under the age of six, which makes them too young to read, but old enough to be increasingly curious about the world around them. The theme of National Poison Prevention Week is, “Children Act Fast, So Do Poisons!” Such a theme is true, not just during this week, but every week of the year. While deaths relating to accidental poisonings have decreased dramatically since 1961, even one child lost through poisoning is one too many.

National Poison Prevention Week is a time when parents and caregivers from all walks of life literally go through their homes and apartments to make sure those dangerous materials are properly stored or secured from children’s reach. Every home throughout the United States has items stored inside that can potentially poison a child, so it’s important for everyone to be aware of what they are and what they can do. While the event does not initiate parades or celebrations, it is an occasion that demands attention and recognition. During National Poison Prevention Week in schools across the country, children of all ages are taught about the dangers posed by certain types of chemicals and solutions stored within most homes.

During this week, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Association of Poison Control Centers and local community health services offices get the word out about child poisoning and what steps most residents can take to prevent such tragic occurrences. These organizations urge parents and caregivers to take the few minutes necessary to go through every room in your home to insure that items that may pose a threat to children are put away, out of reach of exploring fingers. National Poison Prevention Week is a time for attention and responsibility. It’s up to each and every American to provide a safe and secure environment for their child, or those they are providing care for.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

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pearl harbor remembrance day

Sixty-five years ago this year, Japanese aircraft attacked the United States of American at Pearl Harbor. It has truly been, as then President Roosevelt intoned, a day that has lived in infamy for over six decades. The only event that even comes close is the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers in 2001.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is a day to remember what it is to be an American. We must always remember and honor our dead, those who have given the greatest sacrifice to serve our country. On that very dark day in American history, much of the Pacific Fleet was destroyed. Five battleships were sunk that day, including the U.S.S. Arizona, whose ruins can still be seen today at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii. In addition, three cruisers were damaged, and an additional three destroyers were sunk. Over three thousand military servicemen and support members lost their lives and almost one hundred Army aircraft were also damaged or totally destroyed. That morning of December 7th, 1941, marked the first national military disaster that had ever struck the United States. It is, as President Franklin Roosevelt declared, “A day that will live in infamy.”

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is a day in which Americans hang flags from businesses and homes in honor of those who lost their lives that early Sunday morning in what was known as paradise. It’s a day when Americans across the country stiffen their backs and savor the wave of patriotism and love of country that rises to the surface at the thought of anyone, anywhere, daring to attack the United States of America. For Americans, this legacy began years before the first shots were fired in Lexington and Concord. Do we ever stop to think about and appreciate how difficult it must have been for our founding fathers and their peers to take up a fight with the most powerful nation in the world? Yet they did. They felt strongly enough to fight for what they believed in, freedom and democracy, to risk everything, even their lives, in the process.

Across America, children and adults learn about that dreadful day. They watch documentaries on television, hear the voice of President Roosevelt as he responded to the attack on radio, and read about accounts of heroism and loss from those who lived through the attack. The attack propelled America into the Second World War, another dark period of time in American history, but one that found this nation again uniting together despite petty differences such as race, beliefs or social environments. It was a time that brought all Americans together, sacrificing as one for the good of all.

Today, not only those who survived it remember Pearl Harbor Day, but also the generations that have followed. Those who don’t know anything about it, learn about the attack on that day. Veterans’ organizations flock to Hawaii to place wreaths or flowers at the site of the attack, and such services are televised throughout the county. The President of the United States gives a speech at the Memorial, one that ensures that the memory and sacrifices made by the men of the U.S.S. Arizona, the U.S.S. Nevada, the U.S.S. California and others, lives on.

Sacrifice is not something to be taken lightly – to be thought about for a minute and then forgotten. Remember also, that many people have sacrificed that don’t wear a military uniform. They wear jeans or skirts, and come in all ages and colors. They may wear rings in their lips, sport purple hair, or wear three-piece business suits and ties. They may be old women or teenage boys. It doesn’t really matter. They’re all Americans.

Americans have a duty to uphold and honor the legacy of our ancestors. The best way for most Americans to do that is to remember. Never forget those that walked before us and always strive to live up to and represent what America stands for: freedom.

When Is National Maritime Day

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Maritime Day

Every May 22nd, seafarers from around the nation pause to remember or celebrate the contributions, inventions, sacrifices and heroics of the men and women who sail the seas and waterways of the United States of America. Since the American Revolution, Americans have sailed the seas in pursuit of glory and adventure, and sometimes for the duty of war. Since 1933, this day has been set aside to recognize those people.

The Merchant Marine was one of America’s first naval groups, and their dedication and loyalty helped defend our young nation against British warships during the American Revolution.  In the Second World War, the Merchant Marine operated and coordinated the world’s largest sealift to date in the history of military warfare. Still, National Maritime Day doesn’t just honor the men and women who make their living on the seas, nor those who defend it. It’s also a day to honor the inventions and benefits of sea travel, transportation and those who work in jobs from offshore oil drilling to stewards of cruise ships.

Many organizations also use National Maritime Day to recognize and declare a Day of Remembrance and Prayer for Mariners and People of the Sea. Many industries today continue to reply on the open seas and great lakes and waterways of the nation, and many of the jobs held by those on the high seas are extremely dangerous and life threatening. National Maritime Day is a time to seek out those who perform such precarious duties and thank them for their courage and dedication. Unfortunately, National Maritime Day is not widely recognized in the United States, and there is no official federal holiday to commemorate the day.

National Maritime Day is also an occasion when the efforts and skills of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are recognized, as are the efforts and personnel of the American Association of Port Authorities. Members of these and other maritime groups take the opportunity to visit schools and attend civic events in small and large communities around the country, speaking of the history, and the jobs available to U.S. citizens within these fields, as well as to address issues of environmental protection, recreation and agriculture as it relates to lakes and rivers and oceans.

Maritime Day also recognizes and honors the United States Coast Guard, who serve to provide rescue and search missions in every part of American waters, and who have been credited for saving thousands of lives due to sea accidents and acts of war. The U.S. Coast Guard is also a major component of the United States Homeland Security Bureau and their protection of U.S. coastlines and waterways. Today, nearly five million jobs a year are available to those who work on any body of water, from ferry boat captains to those who work on cruise ships, research vessels and Coast Guard or Merchant Marine vessels.

Ceremonies and banquets are held throughout the United States on May 22nd, most especially in Washington D.C., and other major ports along the American seaboards. This day, boat parades can be found in almost every major city port, from New York Harbor to Los Angeles Harbor. The Merchant Marine, the Coast Guard and other maritime groups have been providing services since the birth of the American nation, and their efforts on the behalf of all Americans deserve to be recognized and honored. Many school classes visit local ports and piers on National Maritime Day and learn more about the many maritime groups that help to support and defend the United States against aggression, drug trafficking and other illegal activities. Since its inception prior to the American Revolution, the Merchant Marine has made its presence felt around the world, and continues to do so.

Celebrating National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

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Korean War Armistice Day

Throughout the decades following World War Two, the United States has been engaged in war with various countries for various reasons. The Korean War took place during the 1950’s and has been relegated to the distant memories of many Americans, to the degree that the Korean conflict is called ‘The Forgotten War’. Such a misnomer does a great disservice to the thousands of American men and women who fought, and lost their lives, in that war.

A civil war broke out between North and South Korean forces around the 38th parallel, the border between the two nations, in 1951. The United States sent troops over to Korea from 1951 to 1953. Shortly thereafter, President Harry S. Truman, with the full support of the United Nations Security Council, sent American forces to aid South Korea against the encroaching threat of communism. Eventually, America sent over five million soldiers to Korea, as did other nations. The war had killed nearly 200,000 soldiers from around the world, and those belonging to South Korea by the time it ended in 1953. Of that number, almost 40 thousand were Americans. Although an armistice signed in 1953 by the United States, China and North Korea, halted the fighting, South Korea refused to sign the document, and as a result, the two countries remain separated to this day, and the United States continues to maintain a military presence on military bases scattered throughout South Korea and along the 38th parallel. Because an official peace treaty was never signed, North Korea is still technically at war, not only with her former sister, South Korea, but the United States as well, with nearly 40,000 American soldiers performing yearly military service in that country.

The anniversary of the signing of the Military Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953 is a cause for remembrance for all military and civilian personnel in the United States.  American soldiers have been engaged in warfare before and since the Korean conflict, but the battles, deeds and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought that war seem to be largely forgotten. The Korean War occurred immediately after the tragic and massive numbers of deaths of soldiers who had just returned from fighting in the Second World War and the drawn out conflict that began soon after in Vietnam, whose name now is synonymous with an unpopular war, protests and draft-dodgers. Regardless, the Korean War needs to be remembered by one and all, and not merely by those who participated in it.

Today, veterans in their 70’s and 80’s participate in military events, parades and memorial services every year on the anniversary of the signing of the Korean armistice, a time to reflect and remember fallen comrades and struggles. The Korean War is still remembered as a war that was fought at close range, without the capabilities of long distance warfare that are used today.

America stands strong behind South Korea and her people, who enjoy the benefits and freedoms of democracy. In the United States, the end of the Korean War is celebrated by mainly military groups and veterans, and flags fly from houses and businesses around the country. Washington D.C. officially recognizes the day every year, and the President of the United States urges all Americans to honor and recognize the sacrifices and loyalty of those who have served, and continue to serve, their military duty in South Korea. All government organizations, groups and institutions are requested to fly their flags at half-staff on July 27th of each year, in honor and remembrance of those who have fought for the continued principles of freedom and democracy in the Korean peninsula.

How to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

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hispanic heritage month

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Every September and October, Hispanics across the United States celebrate, honor and remember their rich heritage, no matter which state they live in. Originally begun in 1968, National Hispanic week eventually grew to incorporate a 30-day period of time in which contributions and advancements created and instituted by Americans with Hispanic roots are celebrated.

The month is a time when school children across the country receive an in-depth look at the culture and history of Mexico and South America, as well as early American settlers who hailed from Mexico. Traditions, foods, celebrations and profiles of famous Mexican-Americans are explored and honored. In cities around the United States with a heavy Hispanic population, huge festivities are often enjoyed by thousands of Americans, no matter what their ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Dances, parades, special events and gatherings are held throughout communities in order to reflect and remember the contributions of Hispanics throughout the history of the United States.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is also a time when immigration and educational issues are addressed, as well as actions that assure that everyone who enters America legally be offered adequate resources for information regarding citizenship and all its benefits. The observance of Hispanic Heritage Month is relegated mainly to school districts, and children of all ages often celebrate the time with events that display the cultural traditions of Hispanic peoples. Traditional clothing and foods are often explored and enjoyed, as well as the music and language of Spanish speaking people. Many classrooms invite local Hispanic restaurant personnel into their classrooms to prepare traditional cooking lessons and ‘taste-feasts’ for children in elementary and middle school levels, and High Schools often celebrate with in-depth lesson plans and scheduled event speakers who come to their schools to discuss everything from traditional clothing to the increasing contributions of Hispanics in American society.

The observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins on September 15th and ends on October 15th of every year. Educational events and issues of education are often in the forefront of current events during this one-month period of time, when bilingual education and services are often the focal point of seminars, conferences and community meetings around the country.

School districts around the country typically set aside this period of time to focus on the contributions of Hispanic Americans and those from Latin American countries who have furthered science, art and political causes in America and in their native countries. In cities with large Hispanic populations, millions gather to honor the memories or contributions of Hispanic men and women who have fought for equal rights, equal pay, and for political change within America. States like California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, who have large populations of Hispanics, often host sister-city exchange programs that encourage good relations both north and south of the border between high-school age children.

City streets are often decorated with piñatas and the smell of tamales, enchiladas and chili often wafts on afternoon breezes. The sound of lively Hispanic music fills the air, as do the sounds of celebration and laughter. Many cities host large, public dances and events that bring many different races and cultures together, which strengthens communities and fosters good relations between all.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time for all Americans to remember that this country has a history of and continues to be the greatest ‘melting pot’ in the world. This period is celebrated in every state in America, as the cultures and contributions of the Hispanic community have always been, and will always be, a constant in the fabric of American life.

What Is National Forest Product’s Week

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Forest

National Forest Product’s Week

Did you know that every year, Americans use an average of 681 pounds of paper, and that portions of trees are found in just about every product you use? National Forest Product’s Week, observed every year from October 15th through the 21st, is a perfect opportunity to learn just how much trees and forests help each American, and citizen around the world, to live.

Trees have a life span just like people, and that lifespan is based on location, the amount of nutrients it gains from sunshine, water and the soil, as well as the amount of pollution that threatens its environment. Trees provide so much more than shade, nuts and paper, however. Did you know that the Pacific Yew tree produces a cancer-fighting chemical called taxol? Or that tree particles are found in chewing gum, tires, paints and hair spray, as well as mouthwash, shampoo and yes, even the ever-popular Twinkie? Don’t feel bad, most other people don’t know that either.

Native Americans used trees for all kinds of things as well. They used the bark of some trees to construct canoes, and poles to erect their tepees and build longhouses and wikiups. They even made fishing nets and poles and weapons and sewing tools out of trees and tree parts, as well as their roots for medicines and food. Most musical instruments like flutes and drums and rattles were also made from wood, and that goes for other cultures around the world as well. Just think of all the things that trees can offer humans, and the list will be long and detailed.

National Forest Week has been observed and celebrated in the United States since 1960, when the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States first approved it. It’s a time when our most valuable natural resource should be especially appreciated. Recycling programs begun in the 1960’s and 1970’s have gone a long way to saving many of our national forests and wild lands from the ravages of population’s demands, but pollution still threatens vast numbers of forests and woodlands all around the country; from the great redwood forests of the Pacific Northwest to the multi-colored displays offered to New England residents every year. Disease, pests and chemical pollutants have long threatened our national forests, and every year, thousands of acres of precious trees die due to forest fires and diseases caused by man.

Every year, thousands of adults and children participate in re-forestation projects, and set out to replant areas that have been harvested for lumber or those ravaged by forest fires. Trees and forests provide a necessary and vital ecosystem for not only humans, but animal life as well, and without forests, many animal species would die off and disappear.

National Forest Products Week serves to remind the public of the reliance Americans have on a natural resource that, while renewable, is still not keeping up with the demands of society on a daily basis. The week is a time when public attention is drawn to the growing needs of public demand, and is addressed with ideas and campaigns that strive to replenish those resources. Throughout the nation, groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, as well as adult organizations, make it a point to get outdoors and plant seeds or saplings in honor of National Forest Products Week.

All Americans should remember that we are responsible for the land we live on, and we must respect that land or it will cease to support and nourish our needs. More and more Americans are becoming attuned to the need for nation-wide efforts to clean up our act and make sure that we don’t drain our natural resources beyond the point of no return. National Forest Products Week is the perfect opportunity for every American to do his or her part to ensure the continuance of our greatest natural resource, our forestlands.

How to Celebrate National Flag Week

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National Flag Week

June 14th of every year is set aside as Flag Day, a day when American flags adorn houses, streets and businesses around the country to commemorate the adoption of the first Stars and Strips by the Continental Congress in 1777.

Flags are a symbol of patriotism for many countries and cultures, and Americans are no different. Flags offer a symbol of unity and strength, of honor and loyalty. The flag of the United States of America stands for liberty and freedom, justice and loyalty. The Stars and Stripes are a patriotic reminder of our roots, our history and our future. As such, the American flag is both revered and feared throughout the world, as it stands for democracy, freedom and the pursuit of human rights. Flag Day has been celebrated as a national observance since 1949, when Congress approved a resolution that designated June 14th of every year as a day to observe and display the flag on all government buildings. In 1966, Congress requested that the week of June 14th be designated as National Flag Week, asking that all Americans fly their flags during the observed period of time.

The idea of celebrating a separate flag day was introduced in 1885 by a Wisconsin schoolteacher who felt that a birthday should be held to celebrate the 108th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States of America. In 1894, New York’s governor directed that all public buildings fly the flag on the 14th of June, and in other states, organizations and groups promoted the idea of a period of official recognition for the ‘birthday’ of the American flag. In 1894, the first public schools to celebrate Flag Day were located in Chicago, with hundreds of thousands of school children honoring and saluting the flag. Three decades later, Flag Day was officially recognized by the Wilson presidential administration, which officially established a national observance in 1916, though it wasn’t until 1949 that President Truman’s administration signed an Act of Congress, which officially declared June 14th of every year as National Flag Day.

National Flag Week is also a time in which citizens throughout the country learn how to properly display and take care of their flags. Flags should be flown only between sunrise and sunset, but many people today leave their flags up all the time. During bad weather, the flag shouldn’t be left out unless it’s made of all-weather material. In addition, manners dictate that the flag should be raised quickly, though lowered slowly. No other flag should be flown above the American flag. Flags shouldn’t be allowed to touch the ground. On Memorial Day, Armistice Day, Peace Officers Memorial Week, and Patriot’s Day, flags should be flown at half-staff.

Proper disposal or retirement of flags should follow a time-honored procedure, and many local American Legion Posts will regularly conduct and offer both dignified and honorable disposal of worn or tattered flags on Flag Day. On most occasions, the flag disposal ceremony consists of the retirement of colors, followed by a traditional flag-burning ceremony in which many people from the community attend. It’s a somber observation, one ripe with tradition and a certain amount of pomp and ceremony.
National Flag Week is celebrated in every city, county and state within the United States and in Embassies around the world, a time when American traditions and ideals are observed and honored by millions. Nothing shows pride of country and unity in purpose as much as National Flag Week, a time when the red, white and blue can be seen in proud display.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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Disability

Recognizing diversity and skills is sometimes lacking when people see someone who is handicapped in any manner. Yet, handicapped people are often able to offer as much to the workplace as any other person, and should not be discriminated against. Being disabled doesn’t mean inability to work or hold a job. It’s just a setback, one that can be overcome with determination on the part of the disabled, and understanding and knowledge on the part of any employer.

After World War Two, hundreds of thousands of injured soldiers returned to civilian life, many of them permanently maimed or disabled. Such disabilities didn’t stop them from wanting to work, to earn a living and provide for their families. In 1945, Congress enacted a law that declared the first ‘National Employ to the Physically Handicapped’ week, to address the needs of those soldiers. Today, veterans from every state in the Union, with varying degrees of disabilities, hold positions of employment in every work sector. Not only a veteran, but also anyone who is disabled, has the right to pursue gainful employment today.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed every October, is a time for not only employers, but also citizens throughout the country to realize that disabled persons have just as much to offer the workplace as anyone else. The weeks serves to showcase the efforts made on behalf of employers around the country to use to the fullest the intelligence, abilities and managerial skills that many disabled people can offer to many different career fields. National recognition of the day didn’t really take off until the late 1980’s, and the name of the week was changed to ‘National Employ the Handicapped Week’. It’s a time for all people to face challenges and to test beliefs. Expanding technology now offers handicapped people access to places than ever before, and their contributions to industries throughout the United States should not be overlooked.

Today, regulations prevent employers from discriminating against handicapped people when they show they are able to perform the tasks and duties specific jobs entail, but the most well known is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which guarantees that as a nation, America will not underestimate the capabilities of handicapped people regardless of their disabilities. The law is vital in helping workers with disabilities not only find jobs, but keep them as well.

Due to accidents, war, and medical illness, thousand of Americans are stricken with one kind of disability or another every year. These people need jobs and income, and providing jobs for people with disabilities not only helps them, but America as a whole. When disabled persons are allowed to work and support themselves, their care is no longer relegated to the government. Ultimately, Americans save money on their taxes and the disabled are treated as they deserve to be.

Schools around the country, as well as public service organizations, try to encourage all disabled people, regardless of age, to challenge not only the public at large, but themselves as well, to work and provide services for any kind of business. Being handicapped doesn’t prevent many people from working, but the discrimination of employers keeps them from such endeavors. Nationwide campaigns prevail every October in an effort to provide information and inform the public on the limitless skills, ideas and creativity that can be found in every American, disabled or not.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a time that is observed and recognized for the encouragement and support of all disabled Americans that it, and its millions of supporters nationwide, offer. Every citizen of the United States has something to offer, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, and unique abilities exist within all Americans. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity for each America to recognize that fact, and embrace it.

What Is National Day of Prayer

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Prayer Day

National Day of Prayer

Did you know that throughout the United States, National Day of Prayer is celebrated by every state in the Union by people of different races, religion and creeds? National Prayer Day has been celebrated and practiced since 1952, when President Harry S. Truman signed a joint resolution of Congress that supported the coming together in prayer for all Americans. National Prayer Day was practiced long before that, however. In times of national crisis or strife, our Founding Fathers felt that community support was needed, and so in 1775, the first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer. The Continental Congress asked the infant nation to pray for wisdom and guidance in forming our Declaration of Independence and through the years of struggle ahead. During the War Between the States, President Abraham Lincoln also called for a National Day of Prayer to help hold our great nation together and in 1863, Lincoln asked citizens of our divided nation to pray for our common good. More recently, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan officially designated the first Thursday in May as National Prayer Day.

The United States of America was founded on faith, and it’s the freedom to practice that faith within both Christian and Judean belief systems that keeps America strong. A National Day of Prayer serves to show the world that despite diversified cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and races, Americans are free to not only worship as they choose, but also to gather, pray and exercise the Freedom of Speech granted by our forefathers over two hundred and thirty years ago.

Ever since our Founding Fathers wrote that all religions and creeds should be freely practiced in the United States, public prayer and the National Day of Prayer has been accepted and practiced in our country. Such a holiday serves to remind all Americans of our heritage and our ability to pray as we see fit. People of all faiths participate in the National Day of Prayer, including Christians, Jews, Moslems, Taoists and Buddhists, just to name a few. That’s the legacy of a National Day of Prayer. Coming together to worship as each individual sees fit in order to pray for the greater good of a country is an American tradition that has withstood the test of time and trial. It’s a day to celebrate an entire nation coming together as one, to bend our heads in prayer for the common good of all its inhabitants. Every year on National Prayer Day, events organized at city, county and state levels unite to participate in events from sunrise to sunset. Demographics and politics don’t matter, nor does socio-economic levels. In 2006, more than two million people attended more than 40,000 National Day of Prayer events throughout the United States. An additional 40,000 volunteers planned and staffed those events, proof that prayer is still a common uniting factor in this country despite different beliefs and creeds. People everywhere stopped what they were doing and paused for several moments of private prayer, participating even if they didn’t make it to a local National Day of Prayer event.

There are several ways to become directly involved in the National Day of Prayer movement. One of those is to plan an event in your local community. If you’re not up to planning something like that and want to observe first, plan on attending an event. If you’d rather pray in private, perhaps you can offer your help with a monetary donation to support a National Day of Prayer event. The National Day of Prayer website offers a wealth of information on how people can participate in the event without having to offer their time or services, and welcomes your questions. The honorary chairman for the National Day of Prayer Task Force in 2007, Dr. Charles Swindoll, invites all religions and creeds to support our nation every year with their time, their donations or their prayers. The National Day of Prayer continues to support an American’s right, regardless of race or religious background, to practice their faith and pray in their own way. That most basic of rights is what makes America the most blessed nation in the world.

How to Celebrate Mother’s Day

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mothers day

Let’s face it; mothers rarely if ever get the thanks and appreciation that they deserve.  In our infant years, they provide us with every bit of life-sustaining support necessary to nurture us and turn us into healthy and happy adults.

In 1890s, a woman named Anna Jarvis swore on her own mother’s grave to establish a day of remembrance for mothers everywhere.  After eighteen years of attempting to gain support for her efforts, a West Virginia church agreed to dedicate a Sunday service in May to the mothers of the congregation. One year prior to the agreement, Anna personally attended a service at the church and passed out over five hundred carnations to the mothers attending that day.  Anna’s efforts did not stop with the hand-delivery of the carnations however.

Her efforts included a letter-writing campaign where she sent personalized letters to business leaders and politicians in an effort to gain national support for the establishment of a “Mother’s Day.”  The first politician to move for the establishment of the holiday was Elmer Burkett from Nebraska who introduced a bill the U.S. Senate.  The bill was supported also by the YMCA, a leading national philanthropic organization. Although the bill was rejected, Anna’s plight continued.

In 1912, two full years before the holiday would be nationally established by Woodrow Wilson, the State of West Virginia legally established Mother’s Day as a state holiday.

Anna Jarvis was not the first woman to push for a Mother’s Day.  In 1872, a woman names Julia Ward Howe began to campaign for a Mother’s Day of Peace after the Civil War.  Funding the Boston, Massachusetts public celebrations herself, Howe intended to establish a tradition of celebrating women and mothers everywhere.

Howe, in addition to establishing the first public celebrations of women, contributed significantly during the beginning establishment of women’s rights in the United States. Howe is also known as the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, a national folk song popularized during the Civil War.

The United States is not the only country to devote a day to the celebration of mothers and women everywhere.  Some of the other countries with a national holiday include Great Britain, Denmark, Australia, Finland, France, Turkey and Italy.  Of course, every country celebrates at a different time throughout the year.  Spain for example, celebrates motherhood on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which is already a national holiday.  Britain calls it’s celebration “Mothering Sunday,” and the celebration occurs on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

The commercialization of Mother’s Day was scorned by Anna Jarvis, who intended for the day to be a personalized celebration, mainly due to the popularity of pre-made greeting cards for the occasion.  She believed that an hand-written letter of thank was much more appropriate.  However, there are many industries today which can thank consumers for ignoring Anna’s insistence on personal attention and creativity.

Everyone sends mom flowers on Mother’s Day! Just ask the florist industry, which peaks on Mother’s Day, making it very busy for the nearly 25 thousand U.S. florists.  Also, since mom is not going to expected to cook on this day most restaurants claim that Mother’s Day is their busiest day of the entire year.

This is not to mention the greeting card industry, which touts sales of Mother’s Day cards for almost 95% of America’s 80 million mothers.  Yes, they definitely profit from the labor of our mothers.

Some non-commercial ways to celebrate your mother include sending her a home-made greeting card with a personal note included, make her dinner or a special dessert or just make it a point to spend some time with her.  Not every celebration warrants the expense of supporting retailers and commercialism, and Mother’s Day is one of the few where the sentiment is often more desired than any gift.

Maternity Shirts for Men

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men maternity shirt

Fatherhood is in. More and more men are embracing the experience of pregnancy as a shared adventure for a couple. Gone are the days of men being bashed to obscurity while the mother to be is celebrated with parties in her honor and gifts that reflect only her tastes. No, now couple’s baby showers are being thrown and diaper bags, strollers, and baby gear are being designed with men in mind. Why should moms have all the fun and get all the new stuff?

The mother to be always knows or suspects the pregnancy first. Then there is the dilemma of how to break the great news about the new baby to the daddy. There is any number of creative ways. Why not give that special man in your life a shirt proclaiming “Good daddies are hot”?

For most men, they can’t have too many t-shirts. T-shirts proclaiming your feeling about pregnancy and resulting baby are one of the hottest trends. This is not only true for moms to be but dads to be also. Dads can be seen wearing shirts stating they are on a mission to fulfill their significant other’s craving of the hour or that all should be kind to them as the princess in their life is pregnant.

Is your brother’s wife or girlfriend pregnant? While you are shopping for the new baby (being a good aunt is cool too), get a shirt for your brother to tell him how you think he will be a wonderful father. Pair the shirt with a book about baby care or fatherhood.

Often dads complain about diaper bags and how many items moms think are necessary and stuff into the bag for just one trip to the grocery store or visit to the grandparents. Get a black messenger bag or backpack and fill it with baby necessities, then add a cool vintage style t-shirt. Have the t-shirt made with design of your own. This would be a great gift for the new dad at the baby shower.

Fathers are going need even more t-shirts after the baby is born, especially since babies can be messy. For a fun gift for the new father, take packages of diapers and wipes and a t-shirt proclaiming how real men change diapers when you visit the mom and baby in the hospital. Get one as a hint for your husband as the due date approaches for your baby and his role in your life is about to change forever.

The best place to find these creative t-shirts is with online retailers. Celebrity magazines and blogs are great places to look for style and design ideas. Styles range from the plain white t-shirts to vintage look. Long sleeved tees are also a popular choice.

T-shirts are great gifts especially with their easy care requirements. They are totally wash and wear. This is a big plus with any household with a new baby and all the items babies add to the laundry. Dad can just throw his own t-shirts in the washing machine with no help from a very tired new mom.

Help the dads in your life embrace their new role in life and show how proud they are with a new t-shirt.

Top 10 Places to Wear Matching T-Shirts as a Couple

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Matching

Matching couples t-shirts have become extremely popular, particularly in China and other Asian countries. Proud couples who want to display their love for each other wear couples t-shirts for many occasions. Here are some places you can show off those cute matching shirts.

At the rehearsal dinner. Wearing couples t-shirts at the rehearsal dinner is a fun way to show your personality and relax a bit before the big day. It will also help those relatives you haven’t met to identify who’s the bride and who’s the groom. Shirts that simply say “The Bride” and “The Groom” will do, or try these t-shirts featuring two intertwined hearts.

At your wedding. If you’re a couple with a sense of humor and want to break the tension typically associated with a wedding (or you just don’t have the time and/or money to spend on formal wedding attire), matching couple t-shirts are the way to go. Try a tuxedo t-shirt for the groom and a wedding gown t-shirt for the bride. To create a truly custom look, have your names and wedding date printed on the back of your shirt. The tuxedo t-shirt/wedding gown t-shirt combo could also be a fun choice if you’re guests at a casual wedding.

At your second wedding. You already endured the pomp and circumstance of a big first wedding. This time around, why not have some fun? Dress in a tuxedo t-shirt and a matching bride t-shirt, and you won’t even have to change before the party that night. If you have attendants, let them in on the fun too.

On your honeymoon. The love is new, the excitement of the wedding is still palpable and you want the whole world to know that you’re in love! A honeymoon is one of the most popular times to wear matching t-shirts as a couple. We like the matching “We Did” t-shirts at Zazzle.com featuring a cute cartoon wedding couple. Shelf Life offers a selection of t-shirts featuring a honeymoon theme.

On a date. So you shouldn’t give your date a matching t-shirt on the first date (or the second or even the third) or you risk looking psycho. But if you’re a steady item, matching t-shirts can be a fun way to let everyone know who you are with.

At a nightclub. Keep the sharks at bay by wearing matching t-shirts!

At parties. Matching couple shirts are the perfect get-up for a party. You’ll stand out in the crowd, and you’re sure to get lots of comments from men and women alike about how cute you look together. Best of all, all the other girls will know that your guy is taken (and vice versa)!

To a concert. If you’re both fans, why not wear matching t-shirts to the concert? Double the fun!

Anywhere there will be a crowd. Matching couple t-shirts are not only cute, they can also come in handy if you and your partner become separated. Just ask people if they’ve seen someone wearing a shirt like yours!

Hanging out at home. Seeing that your special someone is wearing your matching shirt will make you feel closer all day long.

When Is Martin Luther King Day

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Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King Day

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. spent most of his adult life promoting equal rights for African Americans in the United States. He was a man who saw no distinctions between black and white, and strove to create a society in which people of all colors and religions could live, work and worship side by side. His peaceful efforts to unite the races brought him worldwide attention during the 1950’s and 1960’s, only to end with his violent death in 1968.

Martin Luther King stood for equality, and it didn’t matter if one was Chinese-American, or Mexican-American or Native American; he felt that everyone deserves the same chances as everyone else to make it in America. As the world’s first ‘melting-pot’ society, King believed that opportunity should not be limited by race or social status. King brought his point across in a non-violent manner that clashed with the anti-war protests of the 1960’s as well as the nation’s experience with Black Right’s activists like the Black Panthers, and their nemesis, the group of white supremacists called the Ku Klux Klan. Martin Luther King endured countless threats and beatings from those who wished to perpetuate a separated society, and he went to jail over two dozen times, defending the rights of all races.

Martin Luther King tried to teach young people that tolerance and opportunity belonged to all people, not just a favored few. He instructed his followers to do so through peaceful and instructive lessons that seek to unify one of the greatest free countries in the world.
Martin Luther King day is observed on a national level on his birthday, January 15th, or every third Monday of every January. The day, officially declared a national holiday in August of 1983, was observed for the first time in 1986 in many states, but it wasn’t until January 2000 that every state in the Union officially recognized the day as a federally observed day of remembrance. While federal buildings and banks are closed in honor of the civil rights leader, most schools and businesses remain open. Mostly celebrated by human rights’ activist groups, Martin Luther King Day is taken as an opportunity by schools throughout the nation to teach tolerance and unity among all races, creeds and beliefs. It’s a day when many volunteer their services within communities. Many labor unions and civil rights’ groups promote the holiday every year, which serves to shine a beacon on King’s desire to provide fair employment and pay wages for everyone in the workplace, whether male or female, black, white or brown. For the most part, nonprofit organizations and those associated with civil and human rights celebrate the holiday, while schoolchildren around the country are taught about King’s life and beliefs. Children are encouraged to volunteer or to partake in special school activities that serve to perpetuate King’s legacy on the younger generation.

It is clearly understood today that while Martin Luther King Jr., was by no means a perfect man, his ideals have withstood the onslaught against his personal and political beliefs and habits. The institution of a national holiday in King’s honor has inspired some to question the naming of a national holiday after one single person. The only other national holidays observed in the honor of a single person are Washington’s’ birthday and Columbus Day, among a few others that are celebrated as state or regional holidays.

As King’s widow, Coretta Scott King wrote, “The holiday must be substantive as well as symbolic… let this holiday be a day of reflection, a day of teaching nonviolent philosophy… a day of getting involved in nonviolent action for social and economic progress.”

Martin Luther King Day celebrates unity in the pursuit of the American dream, one that must remain available to all races and creeds and socioeconomic status.

What’s The Blarney Stone

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Blarney Stone

Kiss Me, I’m Irish (Especially on St. Patty’s Day)!

The traditions of the Irish people are steeped in rich history, and have added many interesting customs and sayings to American culture. The phrase “Kiss me, I’m Irish,” one of the most popular T-shirt slogans on St. Patrick’s Day, is a fun example of Irish tradition rooted in history.

“Kiss me, I’m Irish” is closely related to the legend of the Blarney Stone. This world-famous attraction is found at the Blarney Castle, located near the Irish village of Blarney and the city of Cork. According to legend, one who kisses the stone will receive the gift of eloquent speech, or the “gift of gab”. More than a quarter-million people come to kiss the Blarney Stone each year, likely making it the world’s most unhygienic landmark!

Today’s Blarney Castle was constructed in 1446, but the history of the Blarney Stone begins long before that time. One legend says it was the rock Moses struck with his staff to give water to the Israelites as they wandered in the desert following their exodus from Egypt. Another claims the stone is Jacob’s Pillow, referred to in Genesis 28. Yet another tale says the stone was the coronation stone of Scottish monarchs and later brought to Ireland by missionaries.

A more widely accepted story about the Blarney Stone is that it was a gift to Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, from Robert the Bruce. McCarthy had helped the Scots defeat the English in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The stone was incorporated into Cormac McCarthy’s fortress, Blarney Castle, and became known as the Blarney Stone. More than a century later, one of Cormac’s descendants, King Dermot McCarthy, installed the stone in an enlarged castle that he constructed.

The practice of kissing the Blarney Stone is linked to another local legend, that of an old woman who was saved from drowning by a king of Munster. As a reward, she cast a spell that if he would kiss a stone on the castle’s top, he would gain speech that would win over all who heard it.

Because of its difficult location in a wall below the battlements at the top of the castle, kissing the Blarney Stone requires a bit of gymnastic ability. Participants were once dangled by their ankles from the edge of the castle walk, resulting in many tragedies. Modern guiderails and protective crossbars have since been installed, but the ritual still requires some courage. You must first sit with your back to the stone wall while someone sits on your legs or grips your feet. Next, leaning backward and down into the gap while grasping two iron rails, you slowly lower yourself until your head is even with the stone.

Just how long the practice of kissing the Blarney Stone has gone on is not known, but for the Irish it’s a fun way to get attention. Anyone with even a hint of Irish blood believes he or she has the luck of the Blarney Stone on St. Patrick’s Day, so “Kiss me, I’m Irish” has become another aspect of the celebration. After all, isn’t kissing a Irish hottie better than kissing a dirty stone?

What Is Leif Erikson Day

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Leif Erikson

Leif Erikson Day

Leif Erikson Day? Yes, this day is set aside every October 9th to celebrate the life of the man who first stepped foot on what was to become known as the United States of America. Leif Erikson, also known as the son of Erik the Red, was a Norseman who discovered American soil in 1002 A.D, almost six hundred years before Columbus. Leif Erikson hailed from Iceland, he and a handful of Norsemen are believed to have set sail from Greenland to land at various spots along the eastern seaboard of the New World centuries before any other explorer.

Leif Erikson carried on the traditions of Norsemen who braved stormy oceans and explored vast seas just like his Viking ancestors in Norway and Iceland. Some believe that Leif and his crewmates made landfall along the coast of Newfoundland and ventured as far south as Cape Cod, where he and his men spent a cold winter in temporary lodgings that they build and called Vineland.

Historic evidence supports this story; despite the fact that neither Leif nor his co-travelers created maps or left any other evidence other than the lodging and a shelter that was made to protect his boat from the harsh American winter, archaeological evidence supports the legend of Leif’s voyage. Recent discoveries of lodgings have been unearthed in Newfoundland in an area around L’Anse-aux-Meadows. While Leif never returned to American shores, there is historical evidence supports knowledge that his brother did, though Native Americans later killed him.

Leif Erikson personified qualities that Americans hold in high esteem: bravery, daring and an unending quest for knowledge, understanding and adventure. Such an indomitable spirit is inbred in Americans hearts across the country, and it’s natural that Americans would honor such a man, especially Nordic American descendants of such a noble breed of explorer. On September 2, 1964, a joint resolution of Congress designated October 9th as a day to celebrate and honor the legacy of such a man. President Lyndon B. Johnson began what was to become an annual proclamation to pay tribute to Leif Erikson’s strength of spirit and discovery.

So why did Congress choose October 9th as the day to celebrate Leif Erikson Day? Not because of anything Leif did. Actually, that particular day was chosen because it was the date that one of the first ships carrying immigrants from Norway landed in New York Harbor in 1825. It seems fitting that such an event, followed over eight hundred years after their ancestor first stepped foot on American soil, be dedicated to the memory of such an explorer.

Many citizens of the upper Midwest celebrate this day. Thousands of immigrants of Nordic descent settled in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and in 1930, Wisconsin was one of the first states in the Union to officially adopt the national holiday. In 1963, U.S. Representative Blatnik introduced a bill in congress to mark the day as a national holiday, and the following year, Congress voted in unanimous favor of the resolution.

Oddly enough, Leif Erikson Day and the celebration of Columbus Day land in the same month, and Columbus Day often overshadows the explorations and discoveries of Leif Erikson, except by those large Nordic populations that have settled in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Though Leif Erickson day is a nationally recognized day, it’s not a holiday that American citizens actually take off from work and celebrate. While many Americans of Nordic descent remember and honor their courageous ancestor and schedule school events and small parties to memorialize the man, such is done without party decorations that are more commonly found when celebrating major holidays like Thanksgiving.

When Is Law Day

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LawDay

Law Day in America

First observed during the later part of the 1950’s, Law Day was created by the American Bar Association of lawyers to create more attention to the concepts of the practice of law and law principles.

In 1957, the president of the American Bar Association suggested a day be set aside to recognize and honor America’s unique justice system. President Eisenhower took the initiative to promote American’s history of equality of all under law and made the proper requests to congress that such a day be recognized. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed that May 1st, which is also known as International Worker’s Day in America, would be recognized and remembered as being Law Day. In 1961, a joint resolution of Congress officially named May 1st as Law Day U.S.A.

Because Law Day is not a federal holiday, it’s usually celebrated only by those involved in the practice of law, such as lawyers, judges and court employees. Many people within the United States continue to be unaware of it as an officially recognized day in recent American tradition. For the most part, lawyer’s associations in communities around the country generally hold a luncheon and listen to speeches offered by lawyers, prosecutors, public defenders and judges who discuss anything from court cases to laws to the basic rights offered and illustrated within the Constitution. In some areas, lawyers, judges and court officials like clerks, bailiff’s and court recorders, often visit local schools to talk about their careers and their job descriptions. It’s a day when prosecuting and defense attorneys can illustrate the need for unbiased and equal rights for all within the court of law and that all trials are held to the same standards.

It’s long been accepted that the date of May 1st was selected by President Eisenhower was based on national concerns and fears during the Cold War years, when anti-communism sentiment and labor movements were increasing throughout not only the United States, but around the globe. The late 1950’s were a time when fears of nuclear war prompted people to build bunkers in their back yards and school children were taught to quickly find cover under their desks in the event of a nuclear attack by communist forces. The first of May was also known by many labor movements and those with communist sentiments as May Day, and it is believed that President Eisenhower sought to deflect attention from those activities with the selection of May 1st as the American Law Day, which supports the foundations that this country was built upon, namely that everyone would find, within the law system, unbiased equality and the right to a jury of their peers to decide their fates.

Today, lawyers and attorneys observe Law Day as a day to remember that America’s justice system is different than most other legal systems throughout the world. In many parts of the country, law organizations, in addition to businesses and school districts, gather for assemblies and luncheons where the principles of law and justice are discussed, and sometimes argued. The rights of Americans everywhere to agree or disagree with justice system policies and procedures often serve to perpetuate reforms and changes within the American justice system that ensure that all American citizens have rights when facing prosecution in courtrooms across the nation. The preservation of fairness and equality within the law profession is taken seriously by Americans, and under their careful and watchful eyes, laws continue to provide firm support to the basic foundation that courtroom procedures are formed upon: A man is innocent until proven guilty, and not the other way around. The recognition of Law Day, while not an official holiday, has become a tradition in America, honored by those within the American justice system.

What Is Kwanzaa

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happy kwanzza

Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is a part of American culture these days, celebrating African customs and culture in the United States. The creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, felt that it was extremely important for people of African origin, no matter where they make their home, to remember their roots and traditions. The movement started in the United States, where the majority of people celebrate it.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that takes place every December 26th through January 1st and serves to reaffirm traditional values of unity, self-determination, collective works and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The holiday also serves to strengthen African-American communities within the United States, where the celebration is mostly observed, and also reminds African-Americans of their deeply rooted culture. The word itself comes from the African phrase, “matunda ya kwanza”, which means ‘first fruits’. The seven-day holiday is observed because in ancient Africa, the first fruits of the season were celebrated for a seven-day period, but the main reasoning behind making the holiday seven days long was to draw focus to the seven main values of the African people.

Since the earliest celebrations of the holiday celebrated in 1966, the number of African-Americans honoring and recognizing the traditions has grown exponentially. The holiday represents a way for African-Americans to reconnect with their past, their traditional values and a culture that has endured for thousands of years. Africans in every country of the world join together every year to celebrate unity and values that have been passed down from generation to generation. More and more African-Americans join in on Kwanzaa celebrations every year, but you don’t have to be African to enjoy the holiday. Many different races and cultures also observe the holiday, including Latinos, Asians and Native Americans. It’s a way for all peoples and races to touch their roots and remember the traditions and beliefs that have shaped nations for thousands of years. Schools throughout the United States teach children about different cultures throughout the year, but the holiday season is a time when the beliefs and traditions of most different cultures are celebrated. Because Kwanzaa coincides with the traditions and celebrations of the Christmas season, it’s natural to compare the two holidays, though they are not at all similar in purpose or function.

The traditions of Kwanzaa and its message teach a common truth among all nations, and that is one of goodwill toward others. Kwanzaa reaffirms humanity and compassion, unity and strength of values and morals, no matter what a person’s origin of birth. Kwanzaa was created from the cultural roots of Kawaida, which is an African philosophy that most black people face a challenge of their own culture, both historically and of today, and they must learn to blend the two in order to enrich their lives and those to follow. Taking pride in ancestry is not unique to Africans, but to every race within the United States. While Americans are just that, their backgrounds may be Chinese, African, Spanish, Greek or Indian. The lessons of Kwanzaa are that roots are an important and vital component of any race, and that each race must be able to accept and learn from those traditions, whether they are hundreds of years old or thousands.

Schools throughout the country make sure that children today learn about Kwanzaa, and incorporate instruction about African culture and history through poems, songs and written works in order to teach all people, not just Africans, to appreciate different cultures and traditions. America continues to be the melting pot of the world, and borders are shrinking every year. Kwanzaa, while primarily an African-American holiday, nevertheless addresses key issues for all Americans: that sense of self comes from our ancestors, no matter where they come from. Traditions and values are to be honored and remembered at all costs. Kwanzaa enables African Americans to do just that.