NATIONAL LOYALTY DAY
Our message on May 1 is about recognizing our freedom as Americans and the loyalty we have to our country on National Loyalty Day. This National Day reminds us to honor our American heritage and the freedoms we have.
#NATIONALLOYALTYDAY
Since 1955, every U.S. President has proclaimed May 1 as a day to call on Americans to raise their flags, pray, and reflect on their heritage. The message of National Loyalty Day speaks of loyalty and freedom in equal measure, especially those who serve in the military. And while the messages may stray some in agreement on other topics, the central messages remains the same.
Historically, May 1 was a day of recognition “Americanization Day” by the American Labor Party Movement. The name was meant to reaffirm American freedom and heritage. However, at the time, many people thought the movement was influenced by communism and anarchism. In certain parts of the world, labor movements were in fact created by socialist and communist parties. Because of this fear, Americanization Day was switched to Loyalty Day.
Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.
Mark Twain
8 WAYS SHOW YOUR LOYALTY
- Participate in civic events.
- Take part in the political process.
- Educate yourself on local, state, and national issues.
- Exercise your right to vote.
- Attend veteran events and memorial ceremonies.
- Learn about your heritage.
- Organize an event.
- Show your loyalty for American freedom on social media using #NationalLoyaltyDay.
NATIONAL LOYALTY DAY HISTORY
First observed in 1921 as Americanization Day, National Loyalty Day counterbalanced the Communist celebration of Labor Day on May Day. On July 18, 1958, U.S. Congress (Public Law 85-529) made the day an official holiday. President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1959, the first official observance of Loyalty Day. Each year since its inception as a legal holiday in 1958, every President has recognized the day with an official proclamation.