imafuturist (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
imafuturist) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2018-10-05 10:27 am
imafuturist) wrote in fandomhigh2018-10-05 10:27 am
Civics, 1st Period - Friday
"Hello," Steve said with a tiny smile, sipping from his coffee. "Monday is a federal holiday: either Columbus Day or Indigineous People's Day, depending where you are in the US."
"It's Discoverer's Day in Hawaii," Tony added brightly. "So today we'll discuss how such a holiday came to be federally mandated as a day off. There are a few of them coming up soon with Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas."
"It's not just because sometimes we need a day off," Steve said. "Congress has the power to designate a new federal holiday. It has authority to create holidays only for federal institutions (including federally owned properties) and employees, and for the District of Columbia. But as a general rule other institutions, including banks, post offices, and schools, may be closed on those days. Columbus Day has been falling out of favor as a national holiday, due to Columbus being kind of a huge jerk."
Tony nodded along with that explanation. "Originally it was just New Years Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. More have been added since then with the most recent being the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr in the 80s."
You know, when politicians patted themselves on the back for fixing racism with that move.
"There is an argument every year that Election Day should also be a federal holiday," Steve said. "What do you think the arguments for and against that might be? Bear in mind that Veterans Day is also in November, and so is Thanksgiving."
"And that private businesses aren't obligated to close on federal holidays," Tony said. "Which means that many people will still be working either way."
"It's Discoverer's Day in Hawaii," Tony added brightly. "So today we'll discuss how such a holiday came to be federally mandated as a day off. There are a few of them coming up soon with Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas."
"It's not just because sometimes we need a day off," Steve said. "Congress has the power to designate a new federal holiday. It has authority to create holidays only for federal institutions (including federally owned properties) and employees, and for the District of Columbia. But as a general rule other institutions, including banks, post offices, and schools, may be closed on those days. Columbus Day has been falling out of favor as a national holiday, due to Columbus being kind of a huge jerk."
Tony nodded along with that explanation. "Originally it was just New Years Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. More have been added since then with the most recent being the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr in the 80s."
You know, when politicians patted themselves on the back for fixing racism with that move.
"There is an argument every year that Election Day should also be a federal holiday," Steve said. "What do you think the arguments for and against that might be? Bear in mind that Veterans Day is also in November, and so is Thanksgiving."
"And that private businesses aren't obligated to close on federal holidays," Tony said. "Which means that many people will still be working either way."
Re: Discuss
Re: Discuss
"It was picked back in 19th century all when travel from the less metropolitan areas in to vote meant it might take a day. Sunday was meant for church and Wednesday was, traditionally, a day for market. Tuesday was chosen as a sort of compromise between these two things and it hasn't changed since."
Re: Discuss
Re: Discuss