May 1, 2015 May Day, Law Day and Lei Day

Published: May 1, 2015, 4:30 a.m.

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May Day - Around the world May 1st has come to represent one of two different things or a combination of them. Through out much of Europe, prior to the Christian dominance this was a time of year to celebrate the summer. Often a fertility festival there are still rights that are observed today. In parts of England there is the Map Pole which will have people dance around it and the crowning of the May Queen. This was a time of year when most of the planting would be done and a good time to give the workers a day off to celebrate. This time off was one of the reasons to also make May 1st a workers holiday. Looked at around the world as a Labor Day, when those who are workers are celebrated and recognized.

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Law Day(United States) - Established by President Eisenhower to counter Labor Day, as May first is know throughout much of the rest of the world. It is intended to remind people that we must use the rule of law and not the rule of force to govern society. Today, if it is recognized, is used by law and bar associations to educate about law.

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Lei Day - Celebrated in Hawaii and started in 1927 by the Honolulu Star with the phrase \\u201cMay Day is Lei Day\\u201d. All the major islands celebrate the day in some capacity. The Lei is a garland normally made of flower and local fauna. While it is used in sacred ceremonies it is also used to show affection is social settings. This can be during arriving or departing, retirement, graduations, birthdays, between lovers or anything of the sort. The Lei should not be thrown away casually or cast off, as this is the same as casting off the person\\u2019s affection that gave the Lei. Preferably it should be given back to where it came from and if that can not be done hung in a tree to be given back to nature. Also the traditional way of giving a Lei to someone would be with a slight bow and the hands raised toward the person to receive it. It is not considered polite to raise your hands above another person\\u2019s head.

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