Most of us think of holidays as one of those few days our employer actually pays us to stay home. We all know the big ones: New Year's, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. And yes, some employers are a little more generous but most likely you'll have no more than 7 days a year that you consider a holiday. Depending on your religious beliefs you may add a few more to that annual list, and find that you're up to a dozen or so.
For a day to be considered a "National Holiday" it needs to be declared so by Congress. And then of course we have the "commercial holidays" that we all love, which in effect are simply days that have become popular over the years. We all love them, but for some of us that just isn't enough. Organizations, corporation, and even loosely connected groups of people can "declare" a day for any reason they choose. Some of these days catch on and become popular with the general population, some remain only recognized by their creator, and some fizzle out and become a mere memory after only a year or two.
The point is - Every day, somewhere someone is celebrating something.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

September 2, 2010 ~ VJ Day

 
Also known as Victory over Japan Day, this holiday commemorates the end of World War II. Sometimes celebrated on the day Japan announced their intention to surrender, August 15th in Japan and August 14th in the United States, President Truman declared September 2nd, the day the official surrender was signed, as VJ day in 1945.
By today's standards the name alone of this day is considered politically incorrect, but times were much simpler back then and people more innocent or unaware. One of the most famous photographs of all time taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt for Life Magazine became a symbol of the joy and celebration felt by the American people this day.
Since I certainly do not want to be politically incorrect, but I still want something to celebrate today, I'm officially (at least in my home) changing the VJ to stand for "Very Juicy" kiss Day...thank you Mr. Eisentaedt for the idea.

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