Here's an idea whose time has come. Let's make July 14th, Woody Guthrie's Birthday, an UNOFFICIAL national (USA) holiday. Let's not bother with acts of Congress and Presidential proclamations. Just take the day off from work. And if anyone asks why, tell the truth: "I'm taking the day off because it's Woody Guthrie's Birthday." Maybe we can even turn this into Folksingers' Day, the way George Washington's Birthday evolved into Presidents' Day. That way we will have a day to honor all folksingers!

July 14th is also la Fête Nationale de la France (Bastille Day), all the more reason to take it off. But we need not confine this holiday to the USA and France. The whole world can take the day off. So go ahead and tell the boss "Vive la France! Vive l'anniversaire Woody! I'll see you again on the 15th."


--- Steve