On May 21, National Defence Transportation Day honours the transportation services in the United States. The day is a federal observance in the United States, but it is not a public holiday because all businesses are open and operating. The infrastructure and operations of any society are significantly dependent on its transportation sectors. Not only do the proper conveyance services save the general population time and money, but they also improve the living conditions of the entire nation. The purpose of this day is to recognise the commitment of transportation employees to their professions. There are numerous events planned for the day, ranging from special recognition ceremonies to school competitions.
The background of National Defense Transportation Day
The first National Defence Transportation Day resolution was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957. In 1962, Congress revised the resolution by proclaiming National Defence Transportation Week in May. The week falls on various days each year based on the date of the third Friday in May. The purpose of this day is to recognise the various contributions of the transportation industry to society. In his 1968 speech, President Lyndon B. Johnson attributed the country’s rapid progress and development to its transportation system. The president noted that it took the average American four weeks to travel from San Francisco to New York a century ago. The worried traveller would have to take a ship to Central America and traverse the Isthmus in a mule-drawn waggon. However, advancements in the transportation system have shortened the journey to ten days.
A significant portion of the U.S. economy is dependent on the transportation sector, not only because the average American uses these services frequently but also because the sector incurs annual construction and maintenance expenses. For the conveyance services to operate effectively, they must always be kept current. In addition, the operating personnel must be adequately compensated for their daily contributions to the greater society. To acknowledge the significance of the transport industry, special ceremonies, transport expos, competitions, etc. are conducted.
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NATIONAL DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2021 | May 21 | Friday |
2022 | May 20 | Friday |
2023 | May 19 | Friday |
2024 | May 17 | Friday |
2025 | May 16 | Friday |