OBSERVANCE of SPECIAL DAYS
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i ! ii THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANA 0394 K87p UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00034037391 FOR USE ONLY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION Form No. A-368, Rev. 8/95 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/observanceofspec1959nort A/ ^ -7 ,o OBSERVANCE of SPECIM DAYS FEBRUARY (;lNORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE FLAG OBSERVANCE of SPECIAL DAYS Issued by the: STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 1959 PUBLICATION NUMBER 319 FOREWORD The provision of suitable material for the observance of special days in the public schools of the State is authorized by law. In this publication we have selected a number of days which might be appropriately celebrated ; and have pointed out the significance of each of these days and made suggestions as to how they might be observed. It is the purpose of this publication to give meaning to the events that lay back of the days which are to be observed. The material, therefore, is presented in three main parts: (1) Historical; (2) Concepts to be learned ; and (3) Activities which may be performed. Resources for other material which the teacher may want to use are also given, a specific list with each "day" material and a general list at the end of the publica- tion. It is our hope that teachers, principals and supervisors will use this bulletin as a guide in conveying to our boys and girls the significance of days which we observe and that they will learn the values inherent in such observance, I wish to thank the following committee for the preparation of this guide: L. H. Jobe, Cora Paul Bomar, James M. Dunlap, Mrs. Faye T. Coleman, Mrs. Ruth L. Woodson, Julia Wethering- ton and Helen Stuart. I also wish to express my appreciation to the librarians, teachers and supervisors who submitted sug- gestions to the above-named committee, and to the Arizona Department of Public Instruction for permission to use material from its publication "Holiday Commemoration." State Swperintendent of Public Instructioyi January 1, 1959 [3] CONTENTS Page July Independence Day 5 September Labor Day 7 Citizenship (or Constitution) Day 9 October Fire Prevention Day 12 Columbus Day 13 North CaroHna Day 16 United Nations Week (Day) 47 Hallowe'en 49 November General Election Day 50 Veterans Day 52 American Education Week 53 Book Week 55 Thanksgiving 58 December Christmas '. 60 January Benjamin Franklin's Birthday 64 Lee's and Jackson's Birthdays 66 National Thrift Week 70 Temperance or Law and Order Day 71 February Scouting 72 Lincoln's Birthday 73 St. Valentine's Day 74 Negro History Week 75 Brotherhood Week 77 George Washington's Birthday 79 March and April Arbor Day 80 Easter 85 May Memorial Day 88 Mother's Day 90 June Flag Day 92 Father's Day 94 General Resources 96 Index of Publishers __ 100 Special Days and Weeks For Possible Observance 103 14] Independence Day July 4 From the time the first colonists landed in this country, independence was inevitable. A very natural sequence of thoughts and events led to the Revolutionary War and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress of July 4, 1776. This anniversary commemorates the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. On July 2, 1777, the thought occurred to someone in Philadel- phia that the adoption date should be celebrated. Plans v^ere hastily made; so on July 4, bells rang all day, flags waved from the decks of warships, and soldiers paraded and fired guns and cannons. The day ended with bonfires, fireworks, and a ceremonial dinner with toasts. The custom spread. Boston first observed the day in 1783. Increasing in grandeur year by year, celebrations have followed the same general pattern of parades, patriotic oratory, military displays, and fireworks. Because of deaths and injuries, many communities now prohibit the sale of fireworks. Due to the feelings of patriotism of the citizens of our country, July 4 is now a legal holiday in every state and territory. The day is favored for starting new developments. Governor Clinton of New York broke ground for the Erie Canal, July 4, 1817. Charles Carroll, last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, turned sod for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad July 4, 1828. The cornerstone of the capitol of North Carolina was laid July 4, 1833. The cornerstone of the Washington Monu- ment was laid July 4, 1850. Formal recognition of Philippine Independence was given on July 4, 1946. July 4 is a day of universal joy and pride in our great country, built on the foundation of home and church, and developed on the principles of individual freedom and equal opportunity for all. [5] " Meaning of the words, "equal opportunity for all." Appreciation of the phrase, "individual freedonn." Realization that there must be conscious effort on the part of every suceeding generation to preserve this freedom. Knowledge that July 4, 1776 was the birth date of the United States. Significance of the Declaration of Independence. (CTjatiuitiE.^ • Learn of the events leading • Write creative poems and es- to the writing and signing says about July Ath. of the Declaration of Inde- • Plan a field trip to nearby pendence. historical points of interest. • movie • Make a study of the histori- Develop and show a role of America. cal personalities involved in signing the Declaration • Make friezes depicting pha- of Independence. ses of the development of our country. • Lear^n the history the of • Dramatize certain events in "Stars and Stripes." American history. • Learn the United States Flag • Write a theme on "I am an Code. American. RESOURCES Books Poems Dalgliesh, Alice. Fourth of July See General Resources, Nos. 61, 65, Story. Scribner, 1956. P-I and 70. See also General Resources, Nos. Audio-Visual Materials 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, and 23. FiLMSTRIPS Independence Day. Filmstrip House, Music 1956. I-U See Suprgestions listed under Memo- Independence Day. Encyclopaedia rial Day. BritanniiCa Films, 1953. (Patriotic Holidays) I Plays Independence Day. Eye Gate. (Story See General Resources, No. 58. of Our Holidays) I-U [61 LABOR DAV First Monday in September On October 9, 1884, the first Monday in September was set aside by the United States and Canada as a legal holiday to honor the wage earners and the industrial spirit of the nation. The suggestion came in 1882 from Peter McGuire, president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and an active leader in the Knights of Labor. That year, and again in 1884, the Knights of Labor celebrated in New York with a parade, a picnic, and speeches. They urged that such observation should be annual and universal. On February 21, 1887, Oregon passed the first state law to that effect. Other states and territories enacted legislation later. Even though this is a national holiday, there is little formal observance of the day except by Labor. Celebrations take the form of parades, speeches, picnics, outings, athletic events, and contests. The day has come to mark the end of summer holidays and the beginning of school and autumn business. European countries have observed May 1 as an official labor holiday since 1890. A wholesome respect for work and the laborer. The interdependence among all workers from the unskilled laborer to the top executive. A knowledge of various labor organizations and of their aims and purposes. 17] Pamphlets ci^q-atiuiii American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organiza- tions. Department of Education. • Develop a unit on the history Aviericaji Labor Movement (Samuel of the labor movement in Gompers) the United States. Answers To Your Questions Aboiit • Prepare a Labor Day Pro- Unio7is gram.. Constitution of the AFL-CIO and other Official Documents Rela- • Invite local labor leaders to ting to the Achievement of Labor talk to the class on pro- Unity blems of labor. Crusade for Public Schools (John D. Connors) • Have student panel discus- Policy Resolutions of the AFL-CIO sio7is concerning aspects of This is the AFL-CIO the labor situation. What Labor Means by More (George • Have students illustrate by Meany) charts and 7nurals how Why Should I Join a Union labor organizations affect Why You Need a Union their daily lives. Nichols, Osgood and Carkskadon, • Discuss Child Labor Laws in T. R. Can Labor and Management Work Together? Public Affairs North Carolina — history Committee. and purposes of them. North Carolina Department of La- • Make a ivork-experience sur- bor, Raleigh, N. C. vey of students having Abstract Summary of Labor Laws. Free. part - time remunerative jobs. Know Your North Carolina Depart- ment of Labor (revised ed.). • Invite local civic club leaders Free. to talk ivith the social stu- Periodicals dies classes on labor pro- blems, and attitudes of North Carolina Labor and Industry. (Monthly bulletin of N. C. De- their oiun group toward partment of Labor). Raleigh, N. labor. C. : N. C. Department of Labor. Free upon request. Plays RESOURCES See General Resources, No. 58, Books Poems See General Resources, Nos. 61, 65, See General Resources, Nos. 3, 4, and 70. 15, 17, 19. Music Audio-Visual Materials See Music books listed in General Films Resources. Songs in keeping: with Films for Labor. (A listing of films the history and concepts of Labor available for rental from AFL- Day, and dealing: with various CIO headquarters). Department types of labor or occupations, may of Education. American Federa- be found in music textbooks for tion of Labor and Congress of each grade level.