Monday, April 9, 2018

#atozchallenge : H is for Holiday

Holiday as in a day recognized by custom or law or as in vacation?


I get a lot of holidays off being a government employee.  There are a few that I get off that no one else around does.  My favorite is Truman Day! 

Only government employees for Missouri are given this holiday.  It's written into the state constitution and it will take an act of Congress to have it removed.  This year it is on a Tuesday, so we will have a Monday, then second Monday that week. 

So, how does one celebrate Truman Day?  Do you even know what Truman Day is?

May 8, 1883 was when Harry S. Truman was born in the small town of Lamar, Missouri.  Lamar is close to Prairie State Park, which is an awesome place to hike and see bison.  Truman served in the Army during World War I, worked in retail, was a judge in Jackson County (the county I work in), was Vice President for a short stint then became President when FDR died in 1945.  He was elected President in 1948.  Not Dewey, Dewey didn't win.  Despite what the paper says!  Fake news!
Missouri made Truman Day an official state holiday since he is the only Missourian to ever be elected President.  Truman is my favorite President just for this reason.

So ways to celebrate:

Visit the Truman Library, it is located in Methdependence, opps, I mean Independence, Missouri.  You can pay homage to him at his gravesite.  I've never visited.  Maybe I should put it on my agenda for May 8th. 

The Harry S. Truman Historic Site is also located in Independence and is ran by the National Park Service.  This is his home.  Maybe another item for the May 8th agenda.  I do have a National Parks Pass and would not have to pay the access fee. 

There is a Truman Walking Trail, also located in Independence.  Maybe I should just spend the entire day in Independence?!? 

Truman also has a whole lake named after him!  Lots of fishing, camping and hiking to be had there.  The Boy Scout camp is located on Truman Lake.  Truman lake is connected with the Lake of the Ozarks.  The lakes remind me of dragons.  Just look at a map of them.  Harry S. Truman State Park is also located around these parts.  I have never been, but it looks like it could be a fun camping spot for a weekend.


Occasionally on the blog, I make a list of "different" holidays.  What is your favorite holiday?  How would you spend Truman Day if you had it off?









10 comments:

  1. I had no idea there was a Truman day. Nice post. Holidays where you are off and everyone else has to work are my favourite because you can go places like museums, parks and so on and they are nice and quiet!
    https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/09/h-is-for-den-haag-the-hague-netherlands/

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  2. We have lots of bank holidays in the UK. My favourite would be the Easter one when we get a 4 day weekend. I tend to stay in and relax on these days. Too many crowds when we go out!

    The Heart Never Lies by McFly

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  3. Growing up in Illinois, we always got February 12 for Lincoln's birthday, as well as Washington's birthday on the 22nd. We spent more time out of school than in it in February...

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  4. Ive never heard of Truman’s day before now. Very cool. I’d spend it sleeping in 😴

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  5. I didn't know about Truman day. I do like looking up unusual holidays and have a couple of sites I go to for them. They make great starting points for blog posts. Like Hug a Guitar day :)

    Janet’s Smiles

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  6. Excellent 6 line bio of HST! I knew absolutly none of it! We didn't learn much about US presidents at school in the UK. I think our birthdays should be holidays. Not for everybody of course just the birthday person!

    A-Z of My Friend Rosey!

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  7. What a nice tribute and very informative about Truman. He was my mother's favorite president, too. If I had the day off for Truman Day, I'd love to visit any of the places you lSue at CollectInTexas Gal isted.

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  8. Thanks for educating me more about President Truman! I usually spend my government holidays off trying to catch up with chores around the house or the yard, but I would love to visit any of the Truman places in Missouri. We drove through Missouri on our move across the country, but didn't have time to do much sight seeing. I would love to return and explore the state a bit more thoroughly!

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  9. India has plenty of holidays, especially for those working in the government offices. And people wonder when does work actually get done!
    My work is such that I have to work even if it's a public holiday. But then, I can avail a compensatory off, another day, when others are working.
    Thanks for letting me know about Truman Day.
    (My latest blog post - The Instant lifestyle - http://bit.ly/TT-Instant)

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  10. I didn't know about this holiday. I do know about Mr Truman, though. Missouri is where the Gateway Arch is, right? St. Louis? The baseball team in the read jerseys?

    https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/2018/04/h-is-for-hamburg.html

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