TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY TRADITIONS

Date: 3^rd Monday of January

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: We all need heroes. Let’s have one day to celebrate all of America’s heroes, past and present, so as to give ourselves and future generations role models to look up to.

New Traditions: A new American Hero Hall of Fame will be established in Washington DC near the National Mall. The American public adds three new heroes each year: 1 historical American, 1 current American and 1 honorary American (an international figure who helped make America in a time of need). State governors nominate one of each and all US citizens can then vote via ranked choice voting through USAccounts.

Inspiration: With MLK day relaunched as “Dream Day” in August to commemorate one of the greatest speeches in history, January is freed up for a new holiday. President’s Day is without a doubt the lamest holiday we have (how do you even celebrate? Mattress sales?) but the idea that we could celebrate our great American heroes all together on one convenient, meaningful day is a good one.

Date: 3^rd Monday in February

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: Let’s celebrate the joy of discovery! Discoveries, be they astronomical, aeronautical, archaeological or otherwise, are how we learn and grow both as a person and as a people. Every year we should set aside one day in February to not only appreciate past discoveries, but to encourage all Americans young and old to discover something new.

New Traditions: Imagine schools all over the country hosting discovery fairs throughout the month of February – events exhibiting to parents what students have learned about historical discoveries and what new ones they themselves have made in the past year. A national science fair will take place in the Smithsonian museum of American History on Discovery Day, with one child from each grade in each state selected to showcase their science project to the nation. At the event, the National Science Foundation announces Innovation Corps funding for the best ideas at the fair, as well as government funding for the best professional scientific proposals across major scientific disciplines.

Inspiration: With President’s Day now rolled into January’s Heroes Day, we have ample space on our February datebook for a holiday that can inspire the ambition of discovery in our youth while rekindling a love of learning in grownups worn down by years of weary adulthood.

Date: 3^rd Monday in March

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: We only get one life to live, and let’s not forget it! Setting aside one day per year to appreciate the limited time we have on earth by taking care of the body that grants us that time is a fantastic way to get American’s physically and mentally squared for the year that comes.

New Traditions: Nationwide health events will take place across the country with certain marquee competitions/gatherings occurring in the nation’s capital. Free or heavily promoted health screenings will give Americans the push to get that checkup that they just keep putting off. Marathons, mental health clinics, mass fitness classes, and an obstacle course competition will be just a few of the activities that transform not only the national mall for a weekend, but hopefully kickstart a transformation in the lives of millions.

Inspiration: What do we have more to celebrate in this world than life? On top of that, the country faces multiple health epidemics, from depression to obesity to addictions that this holiday offers a golden opportunity to tackle. Aside from the obvious benefits to individuals, this holiday has the potential to help save American taxpayers billions by shining a light on preventative health. Plus we don’t even have a federal holiday in March, so the month is wide open for us to show appreciation to those who dedicate their lives to helping others through the medical profession, and to life itself!

*Alternative names: Life Appreciation Day, Healthy Living Day

Date: 3^rd Monday in April

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: Earth day is not a federal holiday currently, but it should be. How can we not take one day out of the year to appreciate this unimaginably magnificent rock that we call home?

New Traditions: Get outside! National Parks will host fun events and restoration projects, with one park chosen each year for a nationally televised concert event preceded by a professional sports game where two teams play the sport in its original context – out in the beauty of nature. Local parks and landmarks will be inundated with volunteers for environmental service, while community schools will be responsible for taking on a service-learning project that students work on throughout the year.

Inspiration: We shouldn’t need much inspiration to take care of our planet, but if you need some see: Climate Change.

Date: 3^rd Monday in May

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: A slight variation to Memorial Day will have America celebrate all of our cherished citizens who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In addition to honoring those lost to war, we will not forget to celebrate the lives of first responders who put themselves in harms way to protect us and our republic every day.

New Traditions: In addition to the somber remembrance of the President laying a wreath at Arlington Cemetery, we will remember the joy in the lives of those we’ve lost by hosting an annual softball tournament between current members of our armed services and protective services. One MLB stadium will host a weekend tournament between Eight Teams: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Police, Firefighters and Lifeguards. FBI and CIA can embed one player on each team. Only members of those services are allowed to enter the stadium for the final match.

Inspiration: As we seek to re-establish moral clarity in a 21^st century world that flounders on the subject, we choose to lift up our country’s timeless tales of selflessness by remembering those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow Americans.

Date: 3^rd Monday in June

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: Two weeks prior to celebrating America as a whole, let’s celebrate the individual parts that make her special. This is not a holiday to stay home and watch TV, but to introduce yourself to that new neighbor you’ve been meaning to say hi to, to stop and help the stranger struggling in the street, or to reach out to that local club you’ve been thinking of joining.

New Traditions: This will largely be up to the communities themselves, but could include parades, festivals and fairs celebrating what makes the local community unique. Mixer events aimed at getting neighbors to know each other should proliferate, and America should vote through USAccounts on America’s Community of the year in the categories of Major Metropolis’, Mid-sized Municipalities and Small Town USA. Winners receive funding for a new civic project to commemorate the award.

Inspiration: If you haven’t noticed, being neighborly doesn’t exactly mean the same thing as it historically has in this country. Due in no small part to technology we are becoming a people more and more cut off from those living just a few feet from where we lay our heads each night. The loneliness epidemic can only be cured with genuine human interaction, so let’s dedicate one day a year to encourage new bonds of friendship between neighbors who otherwise may barely muster more than an awkward wave as they pass in the street. We can make this country a better, friendlier place if at least once a year we ask each other that famous question asked by a true American hero, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

Date: July 16^th

Federal Holiday: NO

Main Idea: Space is the final frontier. And its awesome. We NEED a space day. The future is out there, and while it may not occupy every American’s mind right now, make no mistake that we are about to enter a new high-stakes global Space Race that will shape the lives of every one of us that occupies this planet. One day a year to marvel at the wonderous universe we inhabit is hardly sufficient, but commemorating the most incredible achievement in human history certainly seems worthwhile.

New Traditions: A day of space for all ages. Observatories, universities, museums and science centers will open their doors to all, hosting stargazing events, lectures, games and all manner of space-themed revelry. Space movies in theaters and on lawns across the nation will be preceded by educational documentaries and amateur rocket launching competitions. NASA will use the date to announce one major new mission on this date. An annual re-enactment of the lunar landing on the national mall in front of the Air and Space Museum will become an international tourist draw.

Inspiration: The day that our fellow American Neil Armstrong took that “Small Step for Man” will go down in not just American history, but the history of our species as perhaps the most impressive and important moment in the history of human civilization. But beyond praising our past, we must do our darndest to encourage and inspire the American astronautical aspirants that will not just take our country to the moon and back – but who will literally shoot for the stars.

Date: First Saturday in August

Federal Holiday: NO

Main Idea: August has always been the one dead month in our holiday calendar, so let’s jive it up with two of our best brand new celebrations; the first being a day to celebrate the spirit of entrepreanuerhsip. It takes a bold vision, deep devotion and quite often a strong stomach to start a business from scratch. Americans have excelled at this more than most, taking the creative bravery of the American spirit and applying it to commerce is what has allowed America to thrive in a global marketplace. Let’s take one day a year to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs to step off the sideline and into the game by dusting off their old plans, taking a deep breath, and making the plunge!

New Traditions: All ages will be encouraged to do something entrepreneurial – whether its starting a new business, opening a lemonade stand or just dedicating a day to working on that idea that’s been brewing in your mind for a while. New businesses could use this day to introduce themselves to the community, and older businesses can use this day to support, rather than crush entrants into their sphere of influence (at least publicly).

Inspiration: In today’s ultra-competitive global economy, we could stand to use a holiday focused on cultivating that ageless American ambition of following your dreams.

Speaking of Dreams..

Date: 3^rd Monday in August

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: This new holiday may quickly come to be a fan-favorite. Inspired by Martin Luther King’s world-famous speech, this is the day that we make the man proud. Civic education, community participation and personal introspection define the holiday dedicated to realizing Dr. King’s famous dream of peace and prosperity for all, and realizing the true American Dream of continually crafting a more perfect union.

New Traditions: A full day of helping our fellow Americans fulfill their own American dreams by serving the community and lending a helping hand to individuals in need; with a focus on curbing violence and ending poverty (eg. youth outreach and homeless intervention). Every year there will be a reading of Dr. King’s I have a Dream speech from the Lincoln Memorial, with a public concert honoring the best non-profit organizations in the country. There will be a ceremonial “burying of the hatchet” ceremony where two enemies or rivals bury an actual hatchet, shake hands and share a drink together to make peace.

Inspiration: We need a day to focus not just on the people that shaped America, but on their dreams. The nation coming together to make ourselves a better, more equitable place is how we truly honor their legacy.

Date: First Monday in September

Federal Holiday: NO

Main Idea: Of course, Labor day already exists. But as of now, the only thing its good for is to dictate arbitrary fashion choices. Sad. We have enough holidays away from work with our new and improved holiday calendar, but what we don’t have is a day where employers show how much they value their employees.

New Traditions: Labor day should be about businesses showing appreciation for their workers, providing a safe, happy and healthy work environment, not simply sending them out of sight and out of mind for a day. How lazy! On this particular Monday, employers will go all out to give their employees a good day at work – from food, fun, prizes and parties to an actual focus on the policies that improve labor conditions, like paid leave, workplace safety and collective bargaining.

Inspiration: At present, almost nobody uses Labor Day to actually.. you know.. celebrate labor. If employers want to give their workers a half day off, that’s great. But they shouldn’t get away with doing nothing at all for the workers that give them their all, day-in and day-out.

Date: 3^rd Monday in September

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: We live in a great big world, so let’s get to know our international neighbors! One day a year, timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly in New York, we should take the opportunity to understand, appreciate and party with the other 96% of people that we share our tiny little speck of the universe with.

New Traditions: International festivals throughout the country, with food, games and cultural performances. One great big fair on the national mall with the participation of embassies, immigrants and tourists, culminating with a massive naturalization ceremony overseen by the president. This should turn into a grand opportunity to celebrate our multicultural nation by recognizing our greater identity as global citizens. The president should offer to host honored international counterparts from each continent for the day. The Senate should announce the framework for a new treaty on this day.

Inspiration: The United States is the nation of people from all nations. Beyond that, we have done more to craft the global systems of today than any country on Earth, including the United Nations System, which happens to host the biggest congregation of diplomats every year at this time. A destructive, disturbing trend of closed-minded isolationism precisely as we face mounting international crises highlights the importance of recognizing that our nation doesn’t exist in a bubble, but in a world that we must engage with inspirational leadership and mutual respect.

(alternative name: Global Citizen Day)

Date: 3^rd Monday in October

Federal Holiday: YES

Main Idea: Democracy Day is a long time coming, mainly because it will serve as our new Election Day. No longer will we vote on a random, dreary Tuesday in November. Now we will have one Monday in October dedicated not only to voting every two years, but to making our government work for us, every year.

New Traditions: With elections now a public holiday in October, Americans no longer have to worry about school, work, weather or other well-documented impediments to exercising their sacred right to vote. Furthermore, parents can bring their children along with them to the voting booth, instilling a civic mindedness in the next generation that has sorely lacked in past decades. Every third year, Democracy Day will be used as the deadline for Americans to select 5 proposed Constitutional Amendments to be placed on the following year’s midterm ballot. One proposal will be selected in the next election by ranked choice voting, and sent to Congress for approval. Schools around the country should dedicate the time around Democracy Day to civic education, teaching students the mechanics of our republic.

Inspiration: Numerous. From awful voter turnout rates to abysmal government approval ratings to the devious political players who take advantage of the poor state of civics education in America, we need Democracy Day more than any other of these proposed holidays. We all know the famous quote from Ben Franklin about living in a Republic (or case in point – we should). It’s up to each succeeding generation to keep it. Democracy Day will inject a fresh sense of patriotic duty, informed integrity, and real public input into a sorely deteriorated electoral tradition.

(*alternative name: Republic Day.)

Date: 2^nd Sunday in December

Federal Holiday: NO

Main Idea: One day to celebrate doing the impossible. Achievements that seem far-fetched now are exactly what we need our posterity to set their minds to as they craft a better world, so let’s give them some historical examples and let their minds run wild with dreams of breaking barriers.

New Traditions: Primarily focused on inspiring young Americans, students should do an annual project on someone who inspired them by achieving a difficult triumph. Families can set one or more impossible aim for the upcoming year. The US government should lead the way by announcing a new impossible goal with concrete steps on how to achieve it. The annual Tea Party ceremony in Boston Harbor should get a national upgrade. A Red Bull Flugtag-style competition of makeshift flying machines should take place on this day in the warm embrace of South Florida. Other family-friendly competitions should begin cropping up as Americans around the country attempt impossible feats.

Inspiration: December 16^th is the day our country was really born – out of the tea-stained shores of Boston Harbor. December 17^th is the day man first took flight in Kitty Hawk North Carolina. Americans have always lead the world in achieving the impossible. We must keep that spark alive in future generations, showing that we can, are and will always aim for the highest of heights.

Bill: $1     

Front Image: Signing of the Declaration of Independence       

Back Image: Yellowstone / Grand Tetons National Parks and the Statue of Liberty

Quote: “Give me Liberty or Give me Death! – Patrick Henry

Bill: $2

Front Image: D-Day Landing / Iwo Jima          

Back Image: Zion / Bryce Canyon National Parks and The Alamo

Quote: “Americans. Never. Quit.” – General Douglas Macarthur

Bill: $5

Front Image: Moon Landing     

Back Image: Everglades / Dry Tortugas National Parks and the Seattle Space Needle

Quote: “That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind” – Neil Armstrong

Bill: $10

Front Image: Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad     

Back Image: The Grand Cayon / Arches National Parks and the St. Louis Gateway Arch

Quote: “We may have all come in separate ships, but we’re in the same boat now” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Bill: $20

Front Image: Founding of the United Nations  

Back Image: Yosemite / Redwoods National Parks and the Golden Gate Bridge

Quote: “We have the power to begin the world again” – Thomas Paine

Bill: $50

Front Image: Wright Brothers First Flight

Back Image: Great Smokey Mountains / Niagara Falls and DC National Mall

Quote: “Never interrupt someone doing what you said can’t be done” – Amelia Earheart

LOCATION: Washington DC (alternative: Boise, ID)

DESCRIPTION: A large monument looking over the Potomac river containing the statues of 13 impactful American women. The top of the monument is a cracked glass ceiling. Visitors can take a glass elevator to the top of the monument, symbolically breaking through the glass ceiling, arriving at the top of the monument where they can look at striking views of the National Mall and the capital city below. Symbolism – the women that are literally holding the nation up. Statues should be inward facing, with the outward side blocks of quotes. You don’t always see what’s going on from the outside, but the contributions of women to this country are all around us. On top, Lady Liberty / Colombia statue rises above the monument as Betsy Ross hands her a Besty Ross American flag in one hand and she shines a lantern in the other. It actually illuminates.

Potential to include: Abigail Adams, Molly Pitcher, Phillis Wheatley, Sacajawea, Annie Oakley, Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Katherine Johnson, Helen Keller, Grace Hopper, Amelia Airheart, Babe Diedreickson, Rosa Parks

LOCATION: Wapakoneta, OH (alternative: Houston, TX)  

DESCRIPTION: A very large monument in Wapakoneta, Ohio (Neil Armstrong’s hometown) depicting the first moon landing. Larger than life astronauts and a lunar lander will sit atop a giant cratered mound representing the surface of the moon. Humanity’s first small steps off of Planet Earth must be immortalized as the giant leap for mankind that they were. The whole area can be turned into a playground with an educational component for visitors. Alternative locations can be considered, but due to the size of the property, costs will increase dramatically if a larger city is chosen.

LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA (alternative: Trenton, NJ)

DESCRIPTION: A monument park hosting life-like robotic statues of great American scientific achievers that doubles as a children’s playground and educational park. Located in a city park that recreates the field where Ben Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment, it will include life-size animatronic figures of American inventors/scientists who will give lectures and answer questions for park visitors. An initial list of ten individuals might be: Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver, Grace Murray Hopper, Alexander Graham Bell, Katherine Johnson, Nikola Tesla, Heddy Lamar, and the Wright Brothers. There should be plenty of room for future expansion, perhaps up to 100 or more.

LOCATION: Las Cruces, NM (alternative: San Diego, CA

DESCRIPTION: A 1000 foot tower with a large dove opening its wings at the top. The bottom should house a visitors center and museum of the world’s best peacemakers. The monument and museum should beam light up to the night sky and be a beacon for hundreds of miles. Ideally located in Las Cruces, New Mexico (circa the location where the first Nuclear bomb was detonated) with the backdrop of the Organ Mountains, it can be seen from the nearby El Paso/Juarez metro area.

LOCATION: Lebanon, KS (alternative, Omaha NE)

DESCRIPTION: A generational monument in the exact geographical center of the country consisting of massive, 500 foot letters spelling out UNITED (or USA). The front of the letters are painted Red White and Blue, with the back and sides ideally engraved with the name of each American recorded in past US Census’. Every ten years new citizens are added to the sides, as the monument gradually expands outward, adding depth to the letters. Automated telescopes surrounding the monument allow visitors to enter a name and birthdate and search for a specific name on the letters. One unique way that we can each understand that we are literally etched into the American story.

Lots of Americans want to do something about our pressing political dilemmas, but don’t really know where to start. Other than joining a partisan political party or a single-interest advocacy group, most just take to social media to blab in the comments section. Based on your preferences, the AmeriConnect app could pair individuals from different ideological backgrounds, similar minded folks, or those who want a group setting to discuss events of the day. Meetups can be held at local restaurants, community centers or parks where intellectual stimulation is the only thing that can be guaranteed, but certainly not the only possible result of the gathering of good old-fashioned Problem Solving Americans.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Boy, it seems like we’ve strayed a long way from this. But combine a deep-down altruism in the American soul with a glaring need for forging friendship and an app that acts as a sort of national marketplace for local communities and you may have a magic elixir of being good by doing good. Taking a trip to Iowa this summer? Pick an activity you can do for a day or an hour while you’re there to get to know some locals, help out your fellow countrymen, and feel great about the impact you’ve made.

We could all use a little support. The Buddy System feature of the Americonnections app allows people to sign up for enouragement that could end up saving their life. It could be a local support group like Alcoholics Anonymous and Grief Share Groups, or it could pair individuals with someone who is going through similar issues, be it struggling single parents, adrift empty-nesters or lonesome lovers aching from a breakup. Maybe you could use a career mentor or you need to talk to someone about your gambling addiction. Through your verified AmeriConnect profile, you use the Buddy System feature to link up with someone who can help.

We all know about study abroad, but we can learn a whole lot by living for a time in another part of our vast country for a semester or two. Through this program, schools across the US, from elementary to universities would work together to create partnerships where their students can study in another state for a semester while still receiving credit for their studies at their home institution. Having Connecticut’s kids learn alongside South Dakota’s Students and Tennessee’s teens live among Alaska’s adolescents might be one small piece in a puzzle that helps bridge geographical gaps that seem to be exacerbating as our country drifts further apart.

Remember Pen Pals? Pick a random person to communicate with and learn about for a while and forge a far away friendship. Ideally pen pals would write real, actual pen and paper letters to each other (there’s something about getting a personal card in the mailbox) but it could be adapted to simply be messages made over the internet. Going through the AmeriConnect app allows you to anonymize your address so you don’t have to reveal it to a stranger if you don’t want to. Pen Pals should be random and rotational so you don’t feel like you have to keep writing to the same person if you no longer wish to. School children could take part in the program as a way of learning about kids in other parts of the country. Elderly Americans can also be paired with each other to help ease the bitter sting of loneliness as age advances. In the end, a National Pen Pal program isn’t necessarily the most advanced or necessary idea, but it could be something that some people enjoy.