Holiday May 2007

Holidays

May 2007

Welcome to The Plaza Pages Newsletter San Angelo Texas

Cinco de Mayo, Sat May 5

Cinco de Mayo Baile folklórico celebration in Gardena, California

In the United States Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins. Although it is no more an officially recognized holiday than St. Patrick's Day in the United States, many cities display Cinco de Mayo banners. An emphasis on foods, beverages, and music. To balance that, however, many multi-ethnic communities hold special events and celebrations which highlight the Mexican-hispanic culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. A fair example of this would be the ballet folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles near Olvera Street.

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Happy Mother's Day, May 13 2007

Julia Ward Howe wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870, as a call for peace and disarmament. An excerpt follows:

From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with

Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!

The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."

Blood does not wipe out dishonor,

Nor violence indicate possession.

As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,

Let women now leave all that may be left of home

For a great and earnest day of counsel.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means

Whereby the great human family can live in peace...

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Memorial Day, May28 2007

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo' No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few; On Fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread; But Glory guards with solemn round The bivouac of the dead.

By Theodore O'Hara, 1847

Fort Logan National Cemetery gravesites during Memorial Day Weekend. Every Memorial Day, volunteers place flags upon every gravesite in a national cemetery in the United States.

Photo taken by Anthony H. Massey on May 28, 2006.

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John F. Kennedy's Birthday

Tue May 29

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." He also asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the "common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself." In closing, he expanded on his desire for greater internationalism: "Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you."