Tag: government

March 16th Freedom of Information Day

March Holidays

Get ready to mark your calendars and celebrate because March 16th is Freedom of Information Day! This special day not only honors the birthday of James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” and chief author of the “Bill of Rights”, but also recognizes the importance of transparency in government.

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, passed in 1966, citizens have the right to access government information in all areas except for a few exceptions such as national defense and criminal investigations. It’s a powerful tool for holding our government accountable and ensuring that they’re working for the benefit of the people they serve.

Of course, the idea of transparency in government is easier said than done. Many politicians talk the talk when it comes to open government, but few actually walk the walk. That’s why it’s up to us, the citizens, to learn our rights, stay informed, and hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.

So, how can you celebrate Freedom of Information Day? Start by educating yourself about your rights and the Freedom of Information Act. Take the time to read up on government policies and how they affect your life. And always, always fact-check what you hear from politicians and news sources. By doing these things, you’re doing your part to ensure that our government remains transparent and accountable to the people it serves.

So go ahead, celebrate Freedom of Information Day and let’s work together to keep our democracy strong and transparent!

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February 1st No Politics Day

February holidays

Wouldn’t it be wonderful is even for just one day, all politics would just go away so that we didn’t have to hear any more lies, promises that are never kept and politicians that are so old even they can’t remember when they first got elected! Well they are there because of us, we are the ones who put them there and generally speaking… we all admit it’s because we couldn’t find anyone worthy of actually representing us. So let them talk, just not today. Let them make electric cars that cost more to operate than gas cars, dump more carbon into the atmosphere because of the process to make them. Give us better health care that we can’t get. (And they won;t use themselves) Just don’t call it leading because they aren’t. We all would be so much better off if there were no politicians leading to no politics day.

How to celebrate – Go back and look at who you voted for. (Still happy?) Don’t mention politics today. If you are a politician, go hide. ( That’s where we normally find you anyway)

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays

The Constitution was ratified on March 7th, 1789 and Congress instantly started work on Amendments to the Constitution finding 12 items they wished to change. The hard work got started on September 25th, 1789 but only 10 Amendments were actually put in place on December 15th, 1791. Of course we know about the right to bear arms and to practice what religion we choose, the freedom of the press and the freedom of assembly. These are important rights to know… so how many do you know? All ten? Do you know which two did not pass? Check them out… it’s your duty to know.

How to celebrate – Learn YOUR Bill of Rights. Learn how your government works. Learn how Amendments are added to the Constitution.

September 17th Constitution Day

September Holidays

Of course we all know about the Declaration of Independence and we all talk about the Constitution we kind of mush the two things together. They are not the same documents. Constitutional Congress last met on September 17th, 1787 to sign the Constitution, a work long labored over that guides and protects citizens of the United States. It is not perfect, but strives to be as comprehensive as possible, including all as best as the forefathers could imagine at the time. The document went into effect on March 4th, 1789.

How to celebrate – Read the Constitution. Appreciate the efforts of those men far beyond their time. Try to come up with a better Constitution yourself.

December 15th Bill Of Rights Day

December holidays

Today, in 1789, is the day the Bill of Rights went into effect. It had been approved on March 4th by Congress. Originally there 12 amendments, the first two failed to pass the Congress on the original document, so we ended up with 10. These 10 deal with most basic rights an American can expect to receive… they are being challenged today by those who are elected to defend the Bill of Rights thinking they know better and should change the rules we live by because they think it is a good idea. These are generally the same people who feel they know better how to raise your children, spend your money and play a bad version of Robin Hood where they rob from the rich and keep for themselves. But who are we? We certainly aren’t “We the people” anymore. Maybe we are getting what we deserve.

How to celebrate – How many of the 10 amendments can you name? Can you name the two amendments that did not pass? Do you think the Federal government should be stronger than the state government?

March 20th Proposal Day

March Holidays

At first sight, you might think this is a day set aside to ask someone to marry you. Well, it could be, nothing wrong with that but there are many different types of proposals and the day does not spell out which it meant. Congress persons propose different laws and amendments. (Not that they ever pass any of them.) Business’ propose new ventures, sports teams propose trades, in fact any idea until it is accepted or rejected is actually a proposal. Something to think about and generally something to say “yes” or “no” to. You can even propose to forget about today altogether and go back to bed.

How to celebrate – Make a proposal. Listen to all proposals. Think of how many proposals you have made in your lifetime.

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays

When the Constitution was written the founders realized that they had perhaps left out a few things. So on September 25, 1789 they began to consider some changes that might need to be added. They called them the Bill of Rights and proposed 12 changes. On December 15th, 1791 10 changes were made, 2 failed to pass. In all there have been 17 amendments to the constitution. Not bad considering the constitution is over 200 years old! Guess the Founding Fathers were pretty smart!

How to celebrate – How many of the original 10 amendments can you name without looking? Can you name the two original amendments that failed to pass? Can you name the 7 amendments that have passed since 1791?

February 17th President’s Day

February holidays

Today is President’s Day. Well, not really but we will pretend it is. The first President’s Day was celebrated on February 22nd, George Washington’s birthday. Then it was decided we needed to add Abraham Lincoln to the mix, who was born on February 12th and the date got moved to the middle, between both birthdays. Then it was decided that it didn’t matter what date it was on so long as it fell on a Monday (The third Monday in February). Later it was decided that it really should include all Presidents but the date was kept the same. So this year, it is between Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthday, not that anyone intended it be that way.

How to celebrate – Pick your favorite President and celebrate their day. See how many Presidents you can name without looking. Visit Mt. Rushmore.

December 15th Bill of Rights Day

December holidays

On March 9th, 1789 the Constitution of the United States was ratified by Congress. It seems like the day after, the Founding Fathers began to think about things they did not include in the Constitution that maybe they should have. So they began to make amendments to the constitution, considered the Bill of Rights, that applied to everyone in the country. The first amendments were made on September 25th, 1789. Originally there were twelve amendments proposed but only ten of the twelve were added to the constitution. There have been more and more amendments added since then, always with deep thought and consideration before being added. There will probably be more as time moves on. Today we celebrate that document, and those added later on, making us who we are.

How to celebrate – Read the Amendments to the Constitution. Read the Amendments that have been proposed but not added. Think up what Amendments you might add to the Constitution.

September 17th Constitution Day

September Holidays

We all know about the Declaration of Independence but one of the more important documents drawn up by the founding fathers is the Constitution, and most of us are less understanding of it. Today, in 1787 Congress began its drafting of the Constitution; finally completing it on March 4th 1789. Since then it has gone through many amendments, adjusting those original thoughts and laws as set up by the first vote. There have been 27 amendments and there will continue to be amendments as society changes. However, to think, that over 200 years only 27 original thoughts and regulations have been made is rather amazing. Guess our founding fathers really did know what they were doing!

How to celebrate – Throw a Constitution party! See how many of the amendments you can name. See how many of the founding fathers you can name.