1950’s President’s Day
In the 1950’s, there was no President’s Day, the holiday as it is today generated out of the 1980’s when holidays were being reorganized and celebrated on the Monday closest to their actual dates. Therefore, during the Korean War era, the people of the U.S. had George Washington’s birthday to celebrate with family dinners, B-B-Qs and shopping for the best sales, whatever your heart desired. Harry Truman said good-bye and “I Like Ike” was sworn in as President. It was a great time to be growing up and for young WWII families that were just starting out…
Eisenhower sworn in as President
Bye-Bye Harry
Backyard BBQ
Have a beer…
Take a ride in your new 1953 El Dorado
Too cold? Have the family in for dinner…
…or go away for the long weekend.
Only today things seems to be like this……………
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes –
Joshua Baker – Scarborough, Ontario; Canadian Armed Forces, Corporal, Afghanistan
Frank Burke – Northbrook, IL; US Navy, WWII
Bronze Star
Irving Cohn – Arlington, Heights, IL; US Army, WWII, ETO, Battle of the Bulge, Bronze Star
Vincent Dwyer – Malba, NY & Ft. Lauderdale, FL; US Army, 242nd Infantry/ Rainbow Div., WWII, Purple Heart & Bronze Star
Hugh James Hamilton – Christchurch, NZ; RNZAF # 4215243
Thomas Lindsay, Sr. – Grand Rapids, MI, US Navy, WWII
Sherwood Petry – Venice, FL; US Army, WWII
Leo Schlissel – Tamarac, FL & NYC: US Navy, WWII, PTO
John Tillman Simpson – Greenforest, AR; US Army, WWII
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Posted on February 17, 2014, in Korean War, Uncategorized and tagged family history, History, holidays, Korean War, Military History, nostalgia, President's Day, veterans, Vintage. Bookmark the permalink. 67 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
What great, great vintage celebration! 🙂 I love this post, lovely cheerful photos, just what I needed now. Enjoy your weekend, Gpcox!
Greetings from the Rhine Valley
Dina
and Klausbernd, Siri & Selma says hello too! xo
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Yes, thank you. I was surprised to see the post in my Reader, thought you were back from Germany. Thank you for taking the time to read so many of my posts!
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wow! this is a knock-out post! Thank you.
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Surely my pleasure – I enjoy vintage.
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I remember when Lincoln and Washington each used to have their own designated holiday. “Modernists” are busily rewriting our history books. Peculiar the way the world has gotten so concerned with political correctness but apparently unapologetic for bashing or denigrating the names of our founding fathers or putting down the ideas and intents of the original framers of our Constitution. I’ll be honest, so much of it fills me with disgust and disbelief. I am flabbergasted at times. Oh well. I should be ecstatic that they even share “President’s Day” with the others. Thanks once again sir for the fine honor you paid the day and it’s relevance. It really matters that we have good folks like you to help keep our real American history true and honest.
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Thank you very much, Mourgie. Trying to be politically correct often causes more harm than good. I just try my best for the vets, but again, thanks for the compliment.
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Love the retro images and the extra insight into the holiday traditions of the time period.
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Thank you very much, I’m very happy you enjoyed them – retro is my favorite.
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I couldn’t agree more.
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I also enjoyed this post and looking back through the vintage posters. Also have to agree with that last picture and the tear.
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Thanks Kathy, looks like the opinion on that pix is about unanimous.
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It sure is. Great minds think alike 🙂
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Great images. Amen to that last one.
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I can’t believe I hesitated on putting it in, everyone seems to like that one! Thanks for stopping in, Kerbey.
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Great collection of old posters there, they really do illustrate what American celebration days were all about, family, fun and post war laughter.
Regards
Emu
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Thanks, Ian. Wish it was more like that today – ah those were the days my friend…
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Great photos, posters and facts, gpcox! And I really liked the last one! Those were the days when holidays in the name of people were because they did something for the ENTIRE country, and not for a subset like today.
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You’ve got it, Koji – once again great minds think alike! Always a pleasure to see you’ve stopped in here!
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Great stamps 🙂
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Was wondering if you’d like them, Tom. They seemed appropriate for the post and colorful.
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I always especially enjoy the posts with the old advertisements. They sure provide wonderful insights into the culture back in the 1950s.
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You and me both, Sheryl! Your site goes back 100 years and I so enjoy stopping in to see and read how life was then.
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really awesome series of vintage photo ads – and I had no idea that president’s day evolved out the 80’s -nice to learn…and the vintage ads were amazing…
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Thanks, I love vintage! Glad you enjoyed the post.
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Lovely look at the way things were. I am not sure I understand the last picture. Is it something like people being led like sheep to the slaughterhouse? As in Congress and Presidents don’t really help them anymore; and are not good shepherds?
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You got it, Gallivanta! The ideals of Washington have been replaced by the love of power – hence the lone tear down his cheek. I just asked Lemuel if you all have anything like this in NZ, I’ll ask you too?
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Mmmm…I don’t really know. Some might say so. We have an electoral system known as MMP. Some would like to change it back to a first past the post system but the advantage of MMP is that “Coalitions or agreements between political parties are usually needed before Governments can be formed.” (http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/mmp-voting-system ) So, it is hard for one party to become all powerful.
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Maybe we should try that here – but I know the parties wouldn’t allow it.
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It would be a hard sell!
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You are making quite the understatement!
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🙂
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Thanks for the back-story! I was trying to get hold of a few people in the U.S. and when the phones went unanswered and the emails bounced back I have to admit to not knowing much about President’s Day. Thanks for filling me in!
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No problem, Lemuel. Your friends were probably out shopping the sales and will answer you later. Do you have something like this day in NZ?
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Enjoyed the look at advertisements from a simpler, more relaxing time of life. That last picture was certainly on the mark.
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Glad you liked it – I did hesitate for a moment before putting in that last pix -(politically correct?) then figured, it’s my web site, I’ll put in what I want. Good to know you’re behind me, Bev, have a great day.
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It’s nice to see someone knows ‘Alexander Hamilton’ wasn’t president (that was Groupon’s marketing mistake of the day).
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Funny, I haven’t seen the Groupon mistake, but that’s hysterical.
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I got a few emails about it. How’s that happen? I think they need a smarter marketing group.
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Some exec didn’t earn his latest bonus? Or perhaps it is the sign of the school systems of today?
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I grew up in a time and place where both Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Washington had their birthdays celebrated in February. We kids loved the holiday jackpot of that month! I was checking on some if the history surrounding Presidents Day, and found some interesting facts at Snopes.com. Turns out it still is only George Washington’s Birthday we are celebrating on Presidents Day. I always thought it was a combo for Lincoln and Washington. Surprised me!
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You can always count on the government to make sure they get a 3 day weekend.
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Nice collection of images.
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Thanks; I didn’t get as many as I wanted, just couldn’t seem to find them – so I went with what I had. Personally, I liked the 1940’s President’s Day I did last year better.
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I remember 1950’s Florida and other South R E Lee and Jeff Davis birthday.
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In the ’50s, my family came down here for the month of October, so not I did not know that, Carl. We were the tourists back then; I’ve only lived here 43 years.
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Great! Just love this little trip to a nicer, simpler time! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it, Susan.
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After the first few, I think things went downhill pretty quick . . .
. . . and I do think the last graphic is misleading. As far as I know, the sheeps are not allowed to roam all willy-nilly near the capital, and certainly not to congregate that close in any large numbers; it might make the shepherds nervous.
Also, these sheeps still have their coats . . . mighty few of those left, and they usually winter in nice places like the Bahamas.
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I don’t think the sheep have the money for the Bahamas anymore – that’s us po’ folk. Did you happen to notice the tear on Washington’s cheek?
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Yeah, I be the noticing kind.
Washington could have been what many presidents since wished they were . . . he turned it down, preferring to forego the power-grab in favor of giving the idea of an independent and self-governing citizenry forging their own destiny.
Presidents these days are a far cry from that idea . . . as is the citizenry, it seems.
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Since I’ve retired, every day is a holiday! Some just have more meaning than others. LOL! Love these old advertisements. That last one is one of the best depictions I’ve seen — God help us….(He’s the only one who can.)
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I like the retro best myself, Linda. This holiday is really nothing to rave about, but it gives us a chance to share our memories and take a break from the battles! I agree whole-hardheartedly with your opinion of the last photo – when I saw it a few weeks ago, I just HAD to have it.
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Great retro posters. Love the Pepsi one…strange to see what was considered effective advertising back then.
No BBQ for me…self employed…no work no pay. Right now I’m working extra so I can take off time in June to go see my daughter and grandson. 🙂
I think both Lincoln and Washington both would be disappointed in having holidays (official days off) in their honor.
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A worthwhile endeavor on your part. Since Washington didn’t want the job in the first place, I would say you are quite right. Thanks for dropping in despite having to work.
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Holidays were reconfigured to give 3 day weekends. Convenience rules over everything else–a shame. Of course, in my home state of Illinois, Lincoln’s Birthday was a school holiday–Washington’s B’day was not, until they came up with the morphed President’s Day. Neighboring state Missouri, formerly took off Washington’s B’Day, and not Lincoln’s–figure that one out.
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Believe it or not – today is also a State holiday and therefore subject to the individual state’s laws. Wiki explains it better than I can.
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Progress … ?
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Only in technology.
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Yep – and some of that is questionable.
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You’ve got THAT right!
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What a splendid insight into days long gone – a wonderful musing.
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Thanks, Mike. [I know you don’t celebrate this day and truthfully, not many Americans do either, just another day off – but back then it was fun.]
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
History!!! My year ….
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Thank you very much, Lil – hope you and your readers not only enjoy the post, but their day off work.
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Excellent! TY For the trip back In time!
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You are very welcome!
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🙂
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