# New Public Holidays In US **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 6, 2010, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670 "2010-11-06T04:35:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/41 "2010-11-07T18:27:35Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > If anything, he is uncomfortably associated with Manifest Destiny. i think celebrating a holiday dedicated to James Polk would be stupid, and would probably really piss off Mexico. The Reformation suggestion is just so bizarre i can barely comprehend that it was even made. There’s little doubt that the Reformation was a development that shaped world history, including the settlement and development of what would become the United States, but to mark it as a US national holiday can surely be motivated by nothing more than reactionary anti-Catholicism or, at best, a desire to establish recognition of America as a Protestant country. Completely stupid and inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/42 "2010-11-07T18:29:16Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Skald was like “James K. Polk OMG RACISM” which is silly. First of all, Manifest Destiny, while a more or less inherently racist policy, was more about Native Americans and Mexicans than it was about black people or slavery. JKP’s presidency is simply not significantly associated with strong actions or opinions regarding black people. He wasn’t an abolitionist, which was not exactly unusual for the time. You might say that he failed to be a great man in this regard, and it’s valid. But to specifically critique him as if he was somehow exceptional in his desire to (ahem) “keep them niggers down” as per **Skald** ’s post’s, is not historically correct nor does it reflect the main thrust of the presidency. I wasn’t criticizing _Polk_ with the “keep the niggers down” remark, **Hello**. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/43 "2010-11-07T18:31:47Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I wasn’t talking about people in generous, **Hello Again**. I was pointing out the disturbing, jingoistic, Eurocentric, imperialistic, white-supremacist subtext of Qin’s threads. Obviously _generous_ should be _general_. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/44 "2010-11-07T18:53:06Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I wasn’t criticizing _Polk_ with the “keep the niggers down” remark, **Hello**. What else in that list applies? I guess I was just confused, having not fully followed **Qin** nutjobbery. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/45 "2010-11-07T18:57:39Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I wasn’t criticizing _Polk_ with the “keep the niggers down” remark, **Hello**. What else in that list applies? I guess I was just confused, having not fully followed **Qin** ’s nutjobbery. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/46 "2010-11-07T20:38:19Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Go back and read **Guin** ’s post. Unless you’re under the misapprehension that the Protestant Reformation occurred in the 20th century, all will become clear to you. That and the Republic was founded in 1921, not 1919. Then again, we could always use another “Get Good and Drunk” holiday. 😃 (And I think **Qin** is almost fourteen by now. Maybe. I don’t know.) Seriously, I can only imagine the Catholic uproar if you tried to start a Reformation Day holiday. Especially if it’s an official holiday – no Catholic school is going to want to give the day off, even if they are pretty liberal ones. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/47 "2010-11-07T20:44:04Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > That and the Republic was founded in 1921, not 1919. > Then again, we could always use another “Get Good and Drunk” holiday. 😃 > (And I think **Qin** is almost fourteen by now. Maybe. I don’t know.) > Seriously, I can only imagine the Catholic uproar if you tried to start a Reformation Day holiday. Especially if it’s an official holiday – no Catholic school is going to want to give the day off, even if they are pretty liberal ones. But making Reformation Day an official holiday will show our united contempt for the evil, deluded Papists! ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/48 "2010-11-08T01:35:24Z")
Some remarks: -I credit James K Polk for massively increasing the territory of the United States in almost impossible circumstances which are to-day extremely populous and wealthy. -I am Asian, Korean to be exact -I do consider Western Civlization currently in existence ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/49 "2010-11-08T02:03:31Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > -I do consider Western Civlization currently in existence I have no idea what you mean by this. Unless you’re saying that you don’t agree with Gandhi? (Supposedly, when asked his opinion of Western Civilization, he replied, “I think it would be a good idea.”) ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/50 "2010-11-08T02:21:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I have no idea what you mean by this. Unless you’re saying that you don’t agree with Gandhi? (Supposedly, when asked his opinion of Western Civilization, he replied, “I think it would be a good idea.”) Oh I forgot the phrase “best civilization” ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/51 "2010-11-08T02:51:02Z")
Meh. Although I’m a big fan of time and a half, I don’t care for any of the OP’s suggestions for the reasons outlined below: > [@](#): > > Reunification Day-April 9th, Surrender of Lee’s army, essential end of Southern Rebellion I currently live in the South. This would not go over well. > [@](#): > > Victory Day-September 2nd, End of World War II Labor Day. Don’t need it. > [@](#): > > Remembrance Day-September 11th, 9-11 terrorist attacks [Done](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Day). Although, I prefer your designation. Patriot Day makes no sense. > [@](#): > > Reformation Day-October 31st, the Protestant Reformation, end of Roman Catholic stranglehold on Europe Huh? Why do we need yet another religious holiday? Besides, October 31 is already a perfectly damn good secular holiday. > [@](#): > > James K Polk’s Birthday-November 2nd, Birthday of one of America’s greatest Presidents Presidents Day. Don’t need another one. If we did, where does it end? > [@DianaG](#): > > I’m generally in favor of random days off, and can’t think of any reason NOT to celebrate Polk, so sure, why not. I agree with some others that the timing isn’t ideal though. Did he do anything significant in March? We could use a March holiday. I give you [March 8](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Stock_Exchange): Capitalist Day (or Market Day). At least it’s relevant. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/52 "2010-11-08T09:03:21Z")
We need more holidays like Festivus! Festivus for the rest of us and some getting drunk would be good fun. We also need to reduce the strrnglehold of religion on humanity and not increase it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/53 "2010-11-08T16:56:38Z")
Fuck all that noise. August 20th, Really Not All That Bright’s Real Name Day. Short skirts for the ladies, top hats for the men. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/54 "2010-11-08T17:38:44Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Some remarks: > > -I credit James K Polk for massively increasing the territory of the United States in almost impossible circumstances which are to-day extremely populous and wealthy “To-day”? Are you posting from 1887 London? If so you might want to pop on over to Baker Street and see if Mr. Holmes can use you in the Irregulars. > [@](#): > > -I do consider Western Civlization currently in existence Did you forget to finish this sentence? I’m not mocking you; I have made far more egregious mistakes in posting. ETA: Never mind, I see where you corrected yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/55 "2010-11-08T18:13:31Z")
I am pretty sure that September 11 isn’t “Patriot Day,” but in fact “[PATRIOT](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act) Day.” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/56 "2010-11-08T20:45:27Z")
**Qin** has this thing for posting using British spellings. It’s amusing at best, and annoying at worst. (Especially when he uses it for proper names, like when he cited _The Colour Purple_) Kid, stop with the British spellings. It’s incredibly pretentious and it makes you look like a tool. (Note – mods, I am NOT saying that **Qin** is a tool. But that the whole British spelling thing, especially when he uses old-fashioned ones – come off as someone trying too hard to look smart and scholarly. I don’t care if you’re an Anglofile – cut it out, it’s annoying) March 8th (my sister’s birthday, actually!) is also International Women’s Day. Doesn’t sound like a bad day. Actually, since we celebrate MLK day, I could see a Susan B. Anthony day, - to celebrate the struggle for women’s suffrage. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/57 "2010-11-08T20:59:03Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] Actually, since we celebrate MLK day, I could see a Susan B. Anthony day, - to celebrate the struggle for women’s suffrage. [/QUOTE] I could get behind this. Her birthday is February 15. As an alternative, why not celebrate Women’s Suffrage with the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment: August 18. We do need a holiday in August. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/58 "2010-11-08T21:05:41Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > March 8th (my sister’s birthday, actually!) is also International Women’s Day. Doesn’t sound like a bad day. This is a big deal in some parts of the world. My students all brought me flowers on March 8 when I lived in Bulgaria. Kind of random, but hey, flowers! ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/59 "2010-11-09T12:45:27Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I don’t care if you’re an Anglofile – cut it out, it’s annoying) Now that’s one modernized spelling I can’t get behind. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670/60 "2010-11-09T17:10:08Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Now that’s one modernized spelling I can’t get behind. :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-public-holidays-in-us/559670.md?page=4)