Loyalty Day
Loyalty Day is observed annually on May 1st in the United States, a day established to reaffirm allegiance to the country. The day was initiated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1947 as a response to the communist movement, particularly in the context of the May Day celebrations traditionally associated with socialist and communist ideals. The U.S. Congress officially recognized Loyalty Day, encouraging citizens to display the American flag and participate in various ceremonies, including school programs, patriotic exercises, and parades.
Initially embraced by various civic organizations, schools, and churches, Loyalty Day served as a platform to promote patriotism during a time of significant political tension, particularly the "red scare." However, by the late 1960s, the day’s popularity waned, primarily due to the public's discontent with the Vietnam War, which shifted the cultural landscape regarding expressions of loyalty and patriotism. Today, while some local observances of Loyalty Day still exist, it is not widely celebrated as it once was. The historical context of Loyalty Day highlights the complex relationship between national identity and political sentiment in America.
Loyalty Day
In 1947, the US Veterans of Foreign Wars designated May Day as Loyalty Day, a day to reaffirm loyalty to the United States. It was intended to be a “direct positive weapon” against communism, especially the American Communist Party, which observed the communist tradition of holding May Day rallies. The American communist movement was never more than a fringe element, but the “red scare” of the times led to enthusiastic support of the Loyalty Day innovation by civic organizations, schools, churches, and the armed forces. A joint resolution of the US Congress officially designated May 1 of each year as Loyalty Day, and all persons were urged to “fly the US flag and observe Loyalty Day in schools and other suitable places with appropriate ceremonies.”
Recognition of Loyalty Day spread rapidly as governors and mayors throughout the country endorsed the observance. School programs, flag presentations, sermons on loyalty, patriotic exercises, and parades marked the occasion. By the late 1960s, however, the political ramifications of the unpopular Vietnam War had seriously affected the popularity of Loyalty Day. Loyalty Day had never been much more than a countermeasure to the perceived threat of communist May Day, and as such its celebration never recovered significantly after the Vietnam War ended. Some scattered local observances can still be found today.
Bushatz, Amy. "'Loyalty Day' Is Real and Has Everything to Do With Communists." Military.com, 29 Apr. 2024, www.military.com/history/loyalty-day. Accessed 1 May 2024.
"A Proclamation on Loyalty Day, 2024." The White House, 30 Apr. 2024, www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/30/a-proclamation-on-loyalty-day-2024/. Accessed 1 May 2024.