Four Patriotic Holidays

Why Patriotism?

The Scottish author Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) wrote a famous poem called "Love of Country." It begins with this question: "Breathes there the man, with soul so dead / Who never to himself hath said: / 'This is my own, my native land ... .''' At the end of the poem, Scott predicts that a man who does not love his country will die "unwept, un­honored, and unsung."

Patriotism is encouraged, expected, and commonplace worldwide. Why? Love of country seems to serve the needs of nations as well as their individual citizens. After all in order to survive, a nation needs loyal citizens who will support and defend its inter­ests until death if necessary. On the other side of the coin, citizens need to feel linked to an honorable and enduring nation. Holidays that celebrate a nation's birth, military victories, significant accomplishments, and great leaders make people feel proud of their national heritage. Patriotic holidays are also occasions for telling the nation's "story" to the next generation and to new immigrants. In the U.S.A., national memories give a multi-ethnic nation a common culture.

In February, Americans celebrate the greatness of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Four other patriotic holidays span the year from spring through late fall. Memo­rial Day was inspired by the Civil War and Veterans Day by World War I. The two other patriotic holidays-Independence Day and Flag Day-are related to the American Rev­olution and the birth of the U.S.

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What are some reasons why countries have patriotic holidays?

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally established to honor the Civil War dead, now honors all Americans who lost their lives in military service. Unofficially, the holiday has been extended beyond its military connection to become a day of general tribute to the dead. On Memorial Day, cemeteries are crowded with families who come to decorate the graves of their loved ones.

Shortly after the bitter and bloody Civil War between the northern and southern states, the women of Columbus, Mississippi, put flowers on the graves of both Confed­erate and Union soldiers. By doing so, they honored the war dead who were their ene­mies along with their Confederate defenders. Northerners saw this gesture as a symbol of national unity. In 1868, Decoration Day-now called Memorial Day-became a legal holiday. Today, in every state except Alabama, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. Parades and military exercises mark the occasion. Also, in much of the country, Memorial Day is the first warm-weather holiday. People get out the barbecue grill and start planning outdoor fun. But, hopefully, they remember the meaning behind the day.

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On Memorial Day, who is remembered?

Veterans Day

Veterans Day, like Memorial Day, is a serious holiday honoring men and women who have served in the military. Originally, the holiday was called Armistice Day. It was es­tablished by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to commemorate the signing of the armistice (on November 11, 1918) that brought an end to World War I. In 1954, Presi­dent Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day and extending its significance so that it now honors American veterans of all wars. The holiday is celebrated on November 11 throughout the U.S. and in other countries as well. The armistice between the opposing forces in World War I was signed in the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, at 11 a.m. Some people still observe two minutes of silence at that time.

On Veterans Day, the flag is displayed, and veterans march in parades in many communities. Special services are held at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknowns is special to Americans because the unidentified members of the military buried there symbolize everyone who has died in defense of the U.S. Large crowds also gather for services at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (commonly called The Wall) in Washington, D.C.

On this holiday, veterans' organizations in many countries sell paper poppies (red flowers) to raise money for needy veterans. Poppies became associated with World War I because of a famous poem by John McCrae. He wrote about a World War I Belgian bat­tle site, now an American military cemetery: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Be­tween the crosses, row on row." The poppies symbolize the contrast between the beau­tiful, peaceful landscape and the bloody battlefield it once was.

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What are four Veterans Day customs?