AFSCME Almanac
Celebrating Starry Nights..Lefties.. Muppets ..and the Laundry
July is Anti-Boredom Month—a time to encourage people to examine whether they are suffering an extended period of boredom in their lives. If you participate in Labor '96, you won't have a chance to get bored!
July 1: National Postal Worker Day—a day to show appreciation to all past and present postal employees for their service and dedication in serving the American people through snow, rain, heat and gloom of night.
July 4: Independence Day—the 220th anniversary of the day the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, approved the Declaration of Independence. Happy Birthday, USA!
July 7: Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Canonization Anniversary—50 years ago, she became the first American citizen saint in the Catholic church.
July 16: Mary Baker Eddy's Birthday—the founder of Christian Science was born 175 years ago today.
July 21: Robert Burns's Death Anniversary—the national poet of Scotland died 200 years ago today at the age of 37.
July 22: Rat Catchers Day—a day to recognize the workers—many of them AFSCME members—who labor to exterminate these disease-carrying rodents.
July 24: Detroit's Birthday—the 295th anniversary of the day Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed at the site of Detroit. This is a day for our AFSCME Michiganders to celebrate!
July 30: Anita Hill's Birthday—the law professor who charged now-U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with sexual harassment, raising national visibility of the issue, turns 40 today.
August is National Water Quality Month—a time to increase public awareness of water as a precious resource. Could your council or local union organize an event around the importance of clean water in everyday life?
August 4-10: National Psychiatric Technician Week—honors psychiatric technicians, particularly those who care for patients in psychiatric hospital settings. Many AFSCME members work in this field. Let's applaud their efforts and the sensitivity they bring to their jobs.
August 8: Matthew Henson's Birthday—the African American explorer was born 130 years ago. He accompanied Robert Peary on his seven Arctic expeditions—reaching the North Pole before Peary.
August 9-13: Perseid Meteor Showers— among the best known and most spectacular meteor showers, they peak at this time each year. As many as 50-100 meteors may be seen in a single night.
August 10: Missouri Admission Day Anniversary—the 175th anniversary of the day Missouri became our 24th state. Three cheers for all the AFSCME members in the Show-Me State.
August 13: International Lefthanders Day—recognizes the needs and frustrations of lefthanders and celebrates the good life of left-handedness. Studies show their creative side is well developed since they're more right-brained.
August 14: Guide Dog Graduation Anniversary—commemorates the first person to receive a dog from the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind—50 years ago. Many unions support this and similar programs.
August 16-25: National Rehabilitation Week—celebrates the determination of more than 43 million people in the U.S. with disabilities. This is also a time to salute the dedicated health care professionals—many of them AFSCME members—who provide rehabilitation care.
August 19: Orville Wright's Birthday—the aviation pioneer was born 125 years ago today. National Aviation Week is held yearly during his birthday week.
August 30: Roy Wilkins's Birthday—born 95 years ago, the grandson of a Mississippi slave, he became a U.S. civil rights leader.
September is National Literacy Month—a time to raise awareness about the 40 million functionally illiterate Americans. Many AFSCME councils and local unions have literacy programs.
September 2: Labor Day—observed first with a New York City parade in 1882, this is our only holiday celebrating workers and their unions. Does your council or local union participate in community events on our special day?
September 4: Los Angeles's Birthday—founded 215 years ago, its official name was El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula.
September 13: Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year begins at sundown today—Tishri 1, 5757 on the Hebrew calendar. This is the start of ten days of repentance and spiritual renewal that continues through September 23, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), Judaism's holiest observance.
September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month—recognizes the contributions made by those of Latino origin.
September 20: National Laundry Workers Day—celebrates the importance of laundry service employees—many represented by AFSCME.
September 23-27: National Food Service Employees Week—promotes public awareness of the importance of food service workers. Congratulate a food service worker this week.
September 24: Jim Henson's Birthday—the puppeteer, creator of the Muppets, would have been 60 today.
Oversight: Passover was omitted from the March/April issue of Public Employee. We apologize for this error.
