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Loyalty Day is an official and annual observance in the United States, occurring on May 1. According to the United States Code, "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."^[1]

This day was first observed in 1921, under the title of "Americanization Day" and as a response to the Russian Revolution a few years earlier.^[2] President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation observing the day in 1955 after Congress passed a resolution on it, and in 1958, Congress made it an annual observance – all of which was done to counter Communism in the country.^[3]^[4]^[5] Loyalty Day is contrasted with May Day,^[6] which is associated with Marxism and socialism. Some mainstream media outlets have noted that the U.S. is the only country that does not celebrate May Day while celebrating another day in its place.^[7]

References[edit]

↑ 36 U.S. Code § 115 - Loyalty Day. Legal Information Institute -- Cornell Law School. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
↑ Trimble, Megan (May 1, 2017). What Is Loyalty Day? U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
↑ Keith, Tamara (May 1, 2017). Trump Proclaims May 1 Loyalty Day (So Did Every President Going Back To Eisenhower). NPR. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
↑ Eschner, Kat (May 1, 2017). The US Declared “Loyalty Day” in the 1950s to Erase Worker Protest. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
↑ Bushatz, Amy. 'Loyalty Day' Is Real and Has Everything to Do With Communists. Military.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
↑ Vigna, Paul (May 1, 2018). May 1 is May Day and Loyalty Day: So what's the difference? PennLive. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
↑ Wiener, John (May 1, 2014). Why Is the US the Only Country that Celebrates ‘Loyalty Day’ on May 1? The Nation. Retrieved June 9, 2018.