Thursday, May 8, 2008

Celebrate Loyalty Day Today

Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 in the United States. It is a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.

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

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

In 2007 President George W. Bush issued an official proclamation of the May 1, 2007 Loyalty Day in accordance with the 1958 Congressional declaration, as have many of his predecessors:

Bill Clinton, proclamation 6556 (May 1, 1993)
George H. W. Bush, proclamation 5962 (April 28, 1989)
Ronald Reagan, proclamation 4836 (April 14, 1981)
Jimmy Carter, proclamation 4493 (March 23, 1977)
Gerald Ford, proclamation 4354 (March 4, 1975)
John F. Kennedy, proclamation 3528 (April 18, 1963)

The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Batavia, Illinois, has sponsored a Loyalty Day parade on the first Sunday in May since 1975 and the The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Villa Grove, Illinois, has sponsored a Loyalty Day parade, held in May, since 1974.

You can read more about Loyalty Day via Wikipedia.

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