I had a brief discussion yesterday concerning relocating the 4th of July holiday to a Monday. Celebrating a holiday in the middle of the week proved inconvenient to some. I had mentioned I remembered the days before the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. That took effect in 1971. Prior to that we just celebrated the holiday on the actual day, regardless of the day of the week. If the holiday fell on a Tuesday that just meant the next year it would be on a Monday, something to look forward to. Those rare three day weekends were special occasions, not the norm. I do think celebrating the holiday on the actual date designated did add a bit of " special " to it. It seems a great deal of the time nowadays the holiday itself is lost in all the celebration of the three day weekend! That was the reason Memorial day was moved back to the actual date after having been included in this act. Veterans group protested. It was well known and agreed that this moving of holidays was strictly a commercial thing. The intent was to increase revenue by allowing for greater travel and " vacation " planning. Yes, the holiday takes a back seat to profits. You could say it was a continuation of the removal of those pesky blue laws. You know , the laws that restricted commerce on Sundays. Never mind about religious observances, there is money to be made. But all that is a change in society over the years. Changes that in my opinion weren't for the better. Culture and customs are important factors in developing patriotism and pride. I don't believe you can eliminate either one and expect the nation to remain the same.
There was some discussion of when the documents declaring our independence was actually signed, all interesting historically. The internet can make historians out of us all and that is a good thing. The reason for those holidays is to remember and celebrate our history. They weren't created to serve as long weekends. I am of the opinion that when you get something too often it loses its' significance or importance somewhat. You do hear more people saying, it's a three day weekend more often than it's Veterans day or whatever. The more common question is, why are we having a three day weekend or when is the next three day weekend? When we celebrate on the date regardless of the day of the week, people are aware of the holiday itself. The holiday takes precedence! And that is the way it should be, the way it was intended to be and I propose we change it back that way. Quick, what date is Memorial day? What is the date of George Washington's birthday? When was Lincoln born? When I was in school prior to 1971 and all this rearranging of holidays the majority of us would have known those answers. Today I'm not so sure how many young people would be aware of that. Why is that? Because those two dates have been rolled into one and called presidents day. An attempt I suppose to not diminish the importance of other Presidents birthdays. Well I understand the sentiment but George was the first and Lincoln saved the Union so I do think they are entitled to their own dates. Both days are important in the history of this country.
As I said in my comments on that little thread it is really of little importance. It is all a matter of opinion. Should we choose commerce over sentiment? Are we celebrating or commemorating? It is just another shift in attitude. Some time back I wrote a blog I titled Supplicant or Celebrant concerning the manner in which folks approach their God. I was taught to be a supplicant, approaching my God with humility and begging for forgiveness. Some approach their God shouting praises and thanking God for their salvation fully expecting that it has been granted already! And that is the difference in attitude I speak about. Neither action is right or wrong as long as the belief exists. It does appear to me that commerce is taking precedence in our lives and the spiritual is taking a back seat. Our founding Fathers called upon a higher power to guide them and to protect our nation. I can't help but believe we should continue in that manner. " And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. " That is the last line in the Declaration of Independence, the reason we commemorate that date. ( We did have to choose just one) I still support that Declaration and pray for a mutual pledge from my fellow citizens. Anything less is unacceptable. So no, let's not move the date to be more convenient, let's not degrade the significance of what was Declared on that date in 1776. Let's remember and honor that Pledge to each other no matter what day of the week it is.
There was some discussion of when the documents declaring our independence was actually signed, all interesting historically. The internet can make historians out of us all and that is a good thing. The reason for those holidays is to remember and celebrate our history. They weren't created to serve as long weekends. I am of the opinion that when you get something too often it loses its' significance or importance somewhat. You do hear more people saying, it's a three day weekend more often than it's Veterans day or whatever. The more common question is, why are we having a three day weekend or when is the next three day weekend? When we celebrate on the date regardless of the day of the week, people are aware of the holiday itself. The holiday takes precedence! And that is the way it should be, the way it was intended to be and I propose we change it back that way. Quick, what date is Memorial day? What is the date of George Washington's birthday? When was Lincoln born? When I was in school prior to 1971 and all this rearranging of holidays the majority of us would have known those answers. Today I'm not so sure how many young people would be aware of that. Why is that? Because those two dates have been rolled into one and called presidents day. An attempt I suppose to not diminish the importance of other Presidents birthdays. Well I understand the sentiment but George was the first and Lincoln saved the Union so I do think they are entitled to their own dates. Both days are important in the history of this country.
As I said in my comments on that little thread it is really of little importance. It is all a matter of opinion. Should we choose commerce over sentiment? Are we celebrating or commemorating? It is just another shift in attitude. Some time back I wrote a blog I titled Supplicant or Celebrant concerning the manner in which folks approach their God. I was taught to be a supplicant, approaching my God with humility and begging for forgiveness. Some approach their God shouting praises and thanking God for their salvation fully expecting that it has been granted already! And that is the difference in attitude I speak about. Neither action is right or wrong as long as the belief exists. It does appear to me that commerce is taking precedence in our lives and the spiritual is taking a back seat. Our founding Fathers called upon a higher power to guide them and to protect our nation. I can't help but believe we should continue in that manner. " And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. " That is the last line in the Declaration of Independence, the reason we commemorate that date. ( We did have to choose just one) I still support that Declaration and pray for a mutual pledge from my fellow citizens. Anything less is unacceptable. So no, let's not move the date to be more convenient, let's not degrade the significance of what was Declared on that date in 1776. Let's remember and honor that Pledge to each other no matter what day of the week it is.
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