Loyalty Day

History

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. Social upheaval following World War I, and especially the October Revolution in Russia, 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.

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.

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

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." 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." 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."

Celebrations and activities

Loyalty Day events, mostly parades, have been held in

• Golden Shores, Arizona
• Calhan, Colorado
• New Lenox, Illinois
• Brazil, Indiana
• Murray, Kentucky (not annually)
• Standish, Michigan
• Norfolk, Nebraska
• Newport, Oregon
• Brandon, South Dakota
• El Paso, Texas
• Rutland, Vermont
• Long Beach, Washington
• Freedom, Wisconsin These parades usually involve color guards, various marching bands, and even motorcycle clubs, in addition to the appearance of vintage cars and emergency vehicles.

Statutory definition

Loyalty Day is defined as follows in :

:(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.

References

References

1. (August 12, 1998). "36 U.S. Code § 115 – Loyalty Day". Cornell University Law School.
2. "36 U.S. Code § 115 - Loyalty Day".
3. Varea, Roberto Gutiérrez. (2010-08-20). "Sites of Transfer". Peace Review.
4. (April 29, 2016). "Not to be a downer, but here's a reality check on 'Loyalty Day'". Los Angeles Times.
5. "Patriotic Days".
6. (1955). "84th Congress, 1st Session". U.S. Government Printing Office.
7. Eisenhower, Dwight D.. (July 18, 1958). "Statement by the President Upon Signing Resolution Designating May 1 as Loyalty Day.".
8. Eisenhower, Dwight D.. (April 28, 1955). "Proclamation 3091 – Loyalty Day, 1955".
9. Eisenhower, Dwight D.. (April 18, 1959). "Presidential Proclamation 3282 declaring May 1, 1959 Loyalty Day". National Archives.
10. "Search Results: Loyalty Day".
11. Office of the Federal Register. (1967). ["The Code of Federal regulations of the United States of America"]({{google books). U.S. Government Printing Office.
12. (May 1, 2025). "Loyalty Day and Law Day, U.S.A., 2025". The White House.
13. (April 27, 2019). "Golden Shores, AZ: Come to the 34th Annual Loyalty Day Parade and Event today.". Zach News.
14. (February 6, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade May 2, 2020".
15. (April 2, 2020). "42nd Annual 18th District Loyalty Day Parade has been canceled".
16. Report, Times Staff. (April 25, 2022). "LOYALTY DAY IS THIS WEEKEND".
17. Wright, John. (April 24, 2018). "VFW hosts Loyalty Day Parade Saturday". Murray Ledger.
18. Drew, Trevor. (April 27, 2019). "Loyalty Day Parade returns for 48th year". Arenac County Independent.
19. (May 1, 2019). "Norfolk Loyalty Day Parade". Sandhills Express.
20. (March 25, 2022). "loyalty-day-happening".
21. Hult, Jamie. (April 21, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade on hold – for now". Brandon Valley Journal.
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.
23. Dritschilo, Gordon. (April 7, 2020). "Loyalty Day Parade canceled". Rutland Herald.
24. Heffernan, Marissa. (January 14, 2020). "Long Beach Loyalty Days will continue on under direction of Elks Lodge". The Daily News.
25. "Loyalty Day Parade – Freedom, WI".
26. Writer, Gordon Dritschilo Staff. (2022-03-07). "Loyalty Day Parade back on city line-up".