Loyalty Day

American annual observance on May 1

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

Loyalty Day

Color guard walking for Loyalty Day in 2005

Observed by| United States
Significance| Special day for acknowledging American history and declaring loyalty to the United States[1]
Celebrations| Parades and ceremonies
Date| May 1
Frequency| Annual
Started by| Dwight D. Eisenhower

Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 in the United States, though not widely celebrated. 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

[edit]

A poster from 1915–1929 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] Social upheaval following World War I, and especially the October Revolution in Russia,[5] 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.[6][5]

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.[6]

During the Second Red Scare, it was recognized by the U.S. Congress on April 27, 1955,[7] and made an official reoccurring holiday on July 18, 1958 (Public Law 85-529).[1][8] President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1955, the first observance of Loyalty Day.[9] In 1958, Eisenhower urged Congress to move Child Health Day to the First Monday in October, to avoid conflicting with Loyalty Day.[8][10] Loyalty Day has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since its inception as a legal holiday in 1958.[11][12]

On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation reaffirming both Law Day, U.S.A. and Loyalty Day. The Proclamation states, "As our Nation commemorates Law Day, U.S.A., and Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our loyalty to the Constitution, and we renew our pledge to preserve and protect our glorious inheritance of fairness, equality, and freedom against all threats, foreign and domestic."[13] The Proclamation references historical precedent in creating Loyalty Day in opposition of May Day and communism. It also states, "we solemnly remember the more than 100 million victims of communism in the 20th century whose lives were viciously taken, and we stand in solidarity with the innumerable people across the world currently under captivity by communist leaders."[13] The basis for reaffirming Loyalty Day and Law Day are due to a perceived "weaponization of our Government" noting: "Under the previous administration, Federal law enforcement agencies outrageously allowed violent criminals to roam our streets with impunity while targeting parents, churchgoers, political opponents, and ordinary citizens."[13]

## Celebrations and activities

[edit]

Loyalty Day events, mostly parades, have been held in

* Golden Shores, Arizona[3]
* Calhan, Colorado[14]
* New Lenox, Illinois[15]
* Brazil, Indiana[16]
* Murray, Kentucky (not annually)[17]
* Standish, Michigan[18]
* Norfolk, Nebraska[19]
* Newport, Oregon[20]
* Brandon, South Dakota[21]
* El Paso, Texas[22]
* Rutland, Vermont[23]
* Long Beach, Washington[24]
* Freedom, Wisconsin[25]

These parades usually involve color guards, various marching bands, and even motorcycle clubs, in addition to the appearance of vintage cars and emergency vehicles.[26]

## Statutory definition

[edit]

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

[edit]

* Holidays of the United States
* Labour Day
* Law Day (United States)

## References

[edit]

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. ^ Varea, Roberto Gutiérrez (August 20, 2010). "Sites of Transfer". Peace Review. 22 (3): 227–229\. doi:10.1080/10402659.2010.502056. ISSN 1040-2659.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ a b "Patriotic Days". VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
7. ^ "84th Congress, 1st Session" (PDF). United States Statutes at Large. 69. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 44. 1955.
8. ^ 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.
9. ^ 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.
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ "Search Results: Loyalty Day". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
12. ^ Office of the Federal Register (1967). The Code of Federal regulations of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 42–43.
13. ^ a b c Trump, Donald J. (May 1, 2025). "Loyalty Day and Law Day, U.S.A., 2025". The White House. The White House. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
14. ^ "Loyalty Day Parade May 2, 2020". Department of Colorado VFW. February 6, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
15. ^ "42nd Annual 18th District Loyalty Day Parade has been canceled". Patch. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
16. ^ Report, Times Staff (April 25, 2022). "LOYALTY DAY IS THIS WEEKEND". Brazil Times. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
17. ^ Wright, John (April 24, 2018). "VFW hosts Loyalty Day Parade Saturday". Murray Ledger. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
18. ^ Drew, Trevor (April 27, 2019). "Loyalty Day Parade returns for 48th year". Arenac County Independent. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
19. ^ "Norfolk Loyalty Day Parade". Sandhills Express. May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
20. ^ "loyalty-day-happening". Newport News Times. March 25, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
21. ^ Hult, Jamie (April 21, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade on hold – for now". Brandon Valley Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ Dritschilo, Gordon (April 7, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade canceled". Rutland Herald. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
24. ^ Heffernan, Marissa (January 14, 2020). "Long Beach Loyalty Days will continue on under direction of Elks Lodge". The Daily News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
25. ^ "Loyalty Day Parade – Freedom, WI". Winnebago County. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
26. ^ Writer, Gordon Dritschilo Staff (March 7, 2022). "Loyalty Day Parade back on city line-up". Rutland Herald. Retrieved April 1, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Image of "Steps to Better Manhood" truck in the Loyalty Day parade, Los Angeles, 1926, Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive (Collection 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

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