The Charleston advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1894-189?, 1894-07-01
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.

The institution of national holidays in COM
fnemoration.o Of great events In which the whole
people have figured, is, almost without eIcep-
zion, q thing Of quite recent times, and belongs
In peculiar sense to republican or at least pop
ular, 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 monsrchical countries
of the Old world Even In England almost the
only holidays having national, as distinguished
from An soolesiasticsl, significance, is the birth
day 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, are not oommemorsted by the regu'
lar public observance Of their anniversaries, un'
less We except the deosying celebration of Guy
Fswke's'dsy
The Uaitsd States was one of the first nations
to set the example of creating public holidays
which had d.rect reference to the peoples
achievements In their own behalf. The observ-
ance of the Fourth of July dates from its first
" SfsS~
since the establishment of the republic.
The French nation with some vicissitudes and
nonarohical Interruptions, has followed our e1-
SIMPLE by making the 14.h OF July, the an
niverssry OF the destruction of the Bastile by
the people, a public holiday.
The American people, extending the same
idea, have now three national holidays-Thanks-
giving Day, which commentaries deliversnoe
Of the early oolouists from famine and their
pressrvatiop from various perils, Washingtoh's
Birthday, and Memorial Day.
In Boston, and Its neigh orhood tho Itch Of
June, the anniversary Of the battle of Bunker
Hill, Is regularly and enthusiastically observed
by cessation from labor and by public rejo'cings.
Or recent years the celebration of the day has
been slowly extending through the environs Of
She city, and 1t Is hoped by some that the OBJ
uervanoe may finally become national
Mexico celebrates, on the 9Th of May, the an
adversary ola 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 Itsliabs make holiday of he 2lst of
September, the anniversary OF the entrance OF
the italian army into Rome.
In Canada the 1st day Of July, which is the
anniversary Of the PRONUNCIATION Of the confed-
Grafton OF the Provinces, Is celebrated, and
sailed Domipion Day.
But 1t was reserved for the new republic OF
Brazil to institute the most extensive and re-
fnsrksble series OF national HOLIDAYS ever known.
The provisional government Of that country has
issued 8 decree which declares that, "inssmuoh
as the republican system Is founded upon pro-
found sentiment Of universal brotherhood, and
IS "this sentiment can not be properly devel-
.oped without q system Of public festivals des-
tined to commemorate the continuity and soil.
darity of all the generations OF man." it has
seen fit to Institute series Of holidays which
will commemorate the points OF union between
She history O; Brazil and that Of all peoples.
The government, consequently, establishes
nine national holidays. The LIST OF January Is
to be devoted to the commemoration OF univer-
sal brotherhood; the 2lst Of April to the events
which were the precursors Of Brazilian indie
pendence, aud the Sd of Nay to the discovery of
Brazil. 'Thy 18Th of May also becomes holi;
day. and is to "oommemorate the brotherhood
all Braziliaps," The 14th Of June "commem-
crates the republic. aud the liberty and indie
pendenoe Of the American peoples" The 7sh
of Ssptembee is to honor the independence OF
Brazil, tho 18th Of Ostober tho discovery of
America the Sd OF November the memory Of the
dead. and shs 18th of November the glory of the