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Loyalty Day

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For the Argentine observance, see Loyalty Day (Argentina).

Loyalty Day
Color guard walking for Loyalty Day in 2005
Observed byUnited States
SignificanceSpecial day for acknowledging American history and declaring loyalty to the United States[1]
CelebrationsParades and ceremonies
DateMay 1
FrequencyAnnual
Started byDwight D. Eisenhower

Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 in the United States. It was proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a day for declaring loyalty to the United States of America and to acknowledge American history.[2]

The date, May 1, was set in order to counter International Workers' Day and was recognized by the U.S. Congress during the height of the Second Red Scare.

Each year on Loyalty Day, the current president is requested to issue a proclamation that asks the American government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings. The proclamations also ask for the American people to observe Loyalty Day with ceremonies in suitable places.[2] The most common way of celebrating is with parades. [3]

History

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A poster from 1915-1919 used to promote Americanization day, which later evolved into Loyalty Day

International Workers' Day, held annually on May 1, has commemorated the labor struggle since the late 19th century. The date commemorates the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago,[4] in which police shot and killed several people who were striking for an 8-hour workday; eight organizers were later sentenced to death on false charges of throwing a bomb (three were later pardoned).[5] Social upheaval following World War I, and especially the October Revolution in Russia,[6] developed into the First Red Scare, which led to government crackdowns on organized labor, the communist movement, and other activities seen as "radical". It was in this environment that Loyalty Day (originally called "Americanization Day") was created in 1921 as an explicit replacement for International Workers' Day.[7][6][8]

An early 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.[7]

During the Second Red Scare, it was recognized by the U.S. Congress on April 27, 1955,[9] and made an official reoccurring holiday on July 18, 1958 (Public Law 85-529).[1][10] President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1955, the first observance of Loyalty Day.[11] In 1958, Eisenhower urged Congress to move Child Health Day to the First Monday in October, to avoid conflicting with Loyalty Day.[10][12] Loyalty Day has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since its inception as a legal holiday in 1958.[13][14]

Celebrations and activities

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Loyalty Day events, mostly parades, have been held in

These parades usually involve color guards, various marching bands, and even motorcycle clubs, in addition to the appearance of vintage cars and emergency vehicles.[27]

Statutory definition

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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

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References

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  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 "36 U.S. Code § 115 - Loyalty Day". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Golden Shores, AZ: Come to the 34th Annual Loyalty Day Parade and Event today". Zach News. April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  4. ^ https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=52975787&site=ehost-live [bare URL]
  5. ^ "A short history of May Day". Libcom.org. September 11, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b "Patriotic Days". VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  8. ^ "A short history of May Day". Libcom.org. September 11, 2006. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "84th Congress, 1st Session" (PDF). United States Statutes at Large. 69. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 44. 1955.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Search Results: Loyalty Day". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Loyalty Day Parade May 2, 2020". Department of Colorado VFW. February 6, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "42nd Annual 18th District Loyalty Day Parade has been canceled". Patch. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  17. ^ Report, Times Staff (April 25, 2022). "LOYALTY DAY IS THIS WEEKEND". Brazil Times. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Wright, John (April 24, 2018). "VFW hosts Loyalty Day Parade Saturday". Murray Ledger. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  19. ^ Drew, Trevor (April 27, 2019). "Loyalty Day Parade returns for 48th year". Arenac County Independent. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  20. ^ "Norfolk Loyalty Day Parade". Sandhills Express. May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  21. ^ "loyalty-day-happening". Newport News Times. March 25, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  22. ^ Hult, Jamie (April 21, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade on hold – for now". Brandon Valley Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ Dritschilo, Gordon (April 7, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade canceled". Rutland Herald. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  25. ^ Heffernan, Marissa (January 14, 2020). "Long Beach Loyalty Days will continue on under direction of Elks Lodge". The Daily News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  26. ^ "Loyalty Day Parade – Freedom, WI". Winnebago County. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  27. ^ Writer, Gordon Dritschilo Staff (March 7, 2022). "Loyalty Day Parade back on city line-up". Rutland Herald. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
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