The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-14
Observance Of ALabana Day Already
 Looms Large in the Program Of State
By MIGNON HALL


 there is no doubt but that there is one woman in the state she would search out and upon whose fore head she would implant kiss of fervency and gratitude.
 That woman is Mrs. Idyl King Sorsby.
 For she is the founder of Ala bama Day-and each year is called upon to furnish, throughout the state, programs of praise and pa- triotism concerning Alabama, which are carried out by school children.
 While that birthday Is not till December I4, Mrs. sorsby is already being solicited for program materiali and indeed throughout the year re- quests have been coming to her on almost every mail from teachers ana clubs, asking. thus long i'll advance, that their especial needs for the oc- casion be mapped out by this woman who can be said to possess so muon love for her native state that she long ago forgot to consider herself in comparison. The result has been that this summer she has been com pelled to take an extended rest
 Flag Designer
 Mrs. Sorsby Is also the woman who first suggested for Alabama big birthday cake, with many candles and who also designed the Alabama birthday centennial flag and seal BE well as the Birmingham semi-cen- tennial flag.
 She 1t was also. who last season. at the semi-centennial, cut Birming- hams own birthday cekf when Pres ident and Mrs. Harding were guests of the city.
 The inspiration for an Alabama Day" came to her in childhood when she herself used to have birthday parties.
 She would wander about beautiful Bayou Minette, few miles east of historic Blakely in Baldwin county. where she lived and where she would pick up bullets and rusty canteens of war days which told of patriotic love. And the thought would always come:
 How sad that Alabama cannot have a birthday party, too. l love her. and when I grow up, I'm going to see to 1t that she does have a party" A
 Thought Mntured
 And that thought matured when, in 1897, a grown woman. Mrs. Sorsby decided to recognize and honor Alabama's birthday by the formation of the Pierian club of East Lake. It was literary organization, it's motto being Purity and Patriotism" On December 14. 1898, was held a fam fly celebration which can be said to be Alabama's very first party; and from then on Mrs. Sorsby suggested that 1t would be a wonderful idea and something due the state which supports us and which its citizens love-for every home to have an Alabama birthday feast, with a large Alabama cake and its many waxen tapors.
 That. Mrs. sorsby felt. would be an object lesson to children. A part of Thanksgiving "thankfu1ness," she felt, could we'll bc reserved for A.a- bama Day and the privilege of living in the state.
 Tho first formal celebration of Alabama Day was observed in Bir- mingham under the auspices of the department of history of the Woman s club. Mrs. Sorsby was director of this department and had arranged a program on 8ihDdIild history TOT tHS years study. In announcing the birthday celebration, Mrs. Sorsby de- clared to the club members. to the school children who were to take part, to those who were to play the music and render the vocal selections, to those who assisted in decorations and in other ways:
 Think how you would feel to be so years old before anyone loved you enough to give you birthday party"
 It brought the proper enthusiasm.
 Distinct Success
 The event was decided success. A number of descriptive slips. giving minute details. were sent in personal letters to governors, educators and citizens of other states. urging con- secutive observance of each states anniversary. Nearly all replied. the result being now that Mississippi and Georgia and many others have | adopted those suggestions.
 The Woman's club at East Lake always observes Alabama Day, and, as Is done elsewhere over the state a portion of the program Is devoted to the history. life and deeds of George Washington who,. coinci- dentally, breathed his last upon one