Celebrate: Today Is a U.S. National Holiday!

Hey, folks! I received this message in my e-mail today. I want to share it with you! It's addressed to "all members and friends of the Old Munichburg Association"--and if you're reading my blog, then this must mean you!

It's from the president of the Old Munichburg Association, Walter Schroeder. (Yeah, he's my dad!) I'm inserting a few hyperlinks for more information.

ALERT!

This is a national holiday! In 1983 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6th as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German American immigration and culture to the United States. On August 6, 1987, Congress approved S.J. Resolution 108, designating October 6, 1987, as German-American Day. It became Public Law 100-104 when President Reagan signed it on August 18. Every year since, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation calling on Americans "to observe the Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." (Go on-line to read President Obama's proclamation.)

Since we have no civic ceremonies in Jefferson City, you can choose for yourself how to celebrate with an "appropriate activity." Hamburgers and hotdogs (wieners) and beer are German. Our social security system, including retiring at age 65, was modeled after the German social security sytem of the 1870s. Our university graduate education was modeled after German higher education. So is kindergarten. The list goes on and on.

Celebrate and enjoy the day, whether you are of German ancestry or not.

. . . And I would like to add a big, fat, Hoch soll er Leben!