The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-09-27
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.


NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.
Their Institution Bslongs in Psculiar
Sense to Popular Governmsns.
The institution Of national holidays
In commemoration Of great events IN
which the whole people have figured, e
almost without exception, thing OF
quite recent times, and belongs in pc
culiar sense to republican, or at least
popular, governments. Formerly,
though holidays might be numerous
they had almost invariably religious
significance. They were saints days
or church celebrations of some kind.
This is still true in most Of the mon
archicsl countries Of the old world
Even in England almost the only hoh-
day having national, as distinguished
from an ecclesiastical, significance u
the birthday of the Queen.
The greatest civic events connected
with the history Of the English people
events which have made profound
impression upon the history of the
world not commemerated by the
regular public observance of their anni-
versaries- we except the decay
ing celebration Of Guy Faux's day.
The United States was one Of the
first nations to set the example OF
creating public holidays which had
direct reference to the peoples achieve
ments in their own behalf. The obsefv-
ance of the Fourth Of July dates from
its first anniversary, and has never been
interrupted since the establishment OF
the Republic.
The French nation, with some vicis-
STUDIES and monarchical interruptions,
has followed our example by making
the 14th Of July, the anniversary Of the
destruction of the Bastille by the people,
q public holiday.
The American people. extending the
same idea, have now three national
holidays: Thanksgiving Day. which
Commentaries q deliverance OF the
early colonists from famine and their
preservation from various perils. WASH
ington's Birthday and Memorial Day.
In Boston and its neighbrohood the.
18th of June, the anniversary of the
battle OF Bunker Hill, is regularly and
enthusiastically observed by cessation
from labor and by public rejoicings. OF
recent years the celebration of the day
has been slowly extending through the
environs Of the city, and it is hoped
by some that the observance may finally
become national.
Mexico celebrates. on the 5th of May,
the anniversary Of great victory over
the invading French army, and most Of
the other American Republics observe
the anniversaries OF important events in
their own history.
The Italians make holiday Of the
31st OF September. the anniversary of
the entrance Of the Italian army into
Rome.
In Canada the first day Of July, which
Is the anniversary Of the PRONUNCIATION
Of the federation Of the provinces, Is
celebrated and called Dominica Day.
But 1t was reserved for the new Re-
public of Brazil to institute the most
extensive and remarkable series Of ma
tional holidays ever known.
The provisional government of that
oountry has issued . decree which der
clares that s'inasmuch as the republican
system is founded upon profound sem
timent Of universal brotherhood" and
IS ''this sentiment can not be properly
developed without . system of public
festivals destined to commemorate the
continuity and solidarity of all the gem
erations of man." it has seen 1T to in
40 tn