Day Three of the Marchies
Or, things people want you to celebrate on March 3rd.
Okay, the third awesome day of March-day celebrations. Some cool, some huh-what? And some, 'yeah, I can buy into that, sorta'.
Casimir Pulaski Day! In the American Revolutionary War we had some help. I should say they had some help because I wasn't actually there at the time. But, there was the help of many, including military leaders from Poland; among them was Casimir Pulaski. Pulaski, Von Steuben, and Kosciuszko all were heroes of that war--gifts to us from Poland. Poland, salute! I hope that Von Steuben Has a day too. He has at least one city (Steubenvill, OH). Pulaski also has a high school named for him in Milwaukee. As far as I know Kosciuszko has only a Park named for him in Milwaukee. I'm sure that the number of things named after someone doesn't necessarily reflect their military contribution, which for all of these men was considerable! He might simply have the least amount of things named for him because his name is the most difficult to pronounce. This information is brought to you because today is also...
Fun Facts About Names Day! But you knew that already, right? How ever did we get on before this holiday! I feel so enriched! Here is another fun thing to celebrate today:
What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day! Well, what if? Think of the things you could train dogs to do and the trouble that cats could cause! Dogs would certainly be more useful, and cats more haughty. Tom and Jerry, and Spike the bulldog all had opposible thumbs and just think what it did for them!
NEA's Read Across America Day: That's what the NSA does every day, isn't it? Oh, wait,... this is the NEA. Never mind, this is completely different. (Nearest School Day to Dr. Seuss's Birthday 3/2) We did this one yesterday--the actual day. If you read something then you can probably count it for today. If not, then think of today as a second chance! Just to clear up a technicality, you don't actually have to cross America while you read something. That is just what they call idiomatic. (No one is calling you an idiomatic). Just read something.
Princess Day. I thought this would have come on the 15th of March, but I'm not in charge of scheduling and that stuff. Maybe it is here as a lead into...
World Wildlife Day!!! Woo Hoo!!! (And a big welcome back to those returning from checking how I spell my name). Not a coincidence that this comes on the same day as...
Want You To Be Happy Day! And what better way to celebrate this than to smell the flowers! Because this is also...
Peach Blossom Day! Go and smell some peach blossoms! (If you can find them in this cold!) I love peach blossoms and always used to drive through peach country with my windows open. Definitely worth it! (Georgia is really cleaning up on day-celebrations at the beginning of March).
National Anthem Day in the USA! National Anthems are important. My grandfather was Canadian and my father made all of us kids learn Oh Canada so we could sing it at sporting events if a Canadian team was visiting. That was to honor his heritage as well as to let a visiting team know that they had some support in the stands. If this isn't your nations Anthem Day, it does no harm to think of your own nation's ideals and celebrate with us in the spirit of good will towards our fellow human beings. I wish you well. We started out with Revolutionary War heroes, and fun facts about them, so I guess it is appropriate to continue with a bit more American patriotism.
In that spirit I wish to share the complete Star Spangled Banner and its ideals. When we live what the song says we have a better nation. I think when the world lives those ideals we also have a better world.
The Star Spangled Banner
O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave![12]
Francis Scott Key
A fifth verse was added 40 years later, after the American Civil War, by another.
When our land is illumined with liberty's smile,
If a foe from within strikes a blow at her glory,
Down, down with the traitor that tries to defile
The flag of the stars, and the page of her story!
By the millions unchained,
Who their birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
While the land of the free is the home of the brave.
Oliver Wendell Holmes SR. (Father of Justice Olivre Wendell Holmes. I guess it does matter what you teach your kids).
St. Katharine Drexel's Day. St. Katharine, pray for us.
