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The day that was originally set aside to honor our nation’s first president George Washington has now become a federal holiday that honors Washington, Lincoln and, some might say, all of America’s historical leaders. The history of the transition from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents Day spans more than 200 years. Learn how Presidents Day came to be.

As part of our Carrot-Top Cares program, we are always looking for ways to help service members and veterans across America throughout the year. For the holidays, Carrot-Top Industries’ employees unanimously agreed to work with Soldiers’ Angels through donations to their Holiday Stockings for Heroes program.

Each year on either the second or the third Saturday of December, hundreds of volunteers and businesses partner to place wreaths on veterans’ graves throughout the nation. Known as “Wreaths Across America Day,” this year’s event will be held on December 19th at 2,400 cemeteries. It has become an annual tradition of remembering our nation's fallen heroes during the holiday season.

For more than 200 years, Americans have celebrated the Inauguration Day ceremonies for both the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States. Inauguration Day is a federal holiday that occurs every four years on January 20, or on January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday. The next U.S. Inauguration Day will occur on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. On that day, the U.S. will celebrate its 59th inaugural ceremonies.

Each year on December 7, Americans observe National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to honor the 2,400 U.S. military service members and civilians who died during the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force’s attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to the casualties incurred during the Pearl Harbor attack, more than 1,000 Americans were injured that day.

October is a special month for the U.S. Navy. Both the Navy’s Birthday (Oct. 13) and Navy Day (Oct. 27) are both celebrated in October and are also recognized as U.S. flag flying days. It is tradition for Americans to fly their U.S. flags at full staff on these two special days. Are you wondering why there are two Navy-themed celebrations during the same month? Read on and allow history to reveal the answers.

Heroes are important. Their acts inspire us and teach us about selflessness.

Election Day will be challenging with new social distancing and sanitary requirements to keep voters and poll workers healthy. Even though more voters than ever will choose to use mail-in voting, poll sites will still need to be prepared for in-person voting. We offer a variety of products to encourage safety, cleanliness and crowd control in busy polling locations. We are here to help Election Day run smoothly in your community on November 3. Here are a few solutions we can offer you:

Patriot Day commemorates the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and those who died on the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. 9/11 was the deadliest terrorist attack in world history. Most of those who died were civilians, and more than 90 countries lost citizens in the attacks. An additional 6,000+ individuals were injured during the attacks. This day also recognizes the first responders who lost their lives while trying to rescue civilians trapped in the destruction. 412 first responders did not survive:

On July 4th, a federal holiday in America, many of us look forward to a day off from work to enjoy time with family and friends. While we often associate the day with barbecues, picnics, parades and fireworks, it is important to remember the historical meaning behind the Fourth of July as we celebrate. How much do you know about the history of July 4th, also known as Independence Day? Take our quiz, before reading the blog, to find out how much you know about America's Independence Day.

Due to COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is approaching public Memorial Day ceremonies in a different way this year. Public events, such as organizations’ placement of flags at gravesites, will not be allowed at VA cemeteries although they will be open for public visitation. Some cemeteries may use staff members to place flags at the graves to ensure public safety and proper social distancing. While the VA is providing direction to their cemeteries, smaller and privately-owned cemeteries can abide by their own rules unless they are subject to local restrictions. Some cemeteries may cancel their ceremonies this year. See our earlier Memorial Day blog for other ways you can safely honor veterans this Memorial Day. Below is the VA’s complete News Release from May 13, 2020:

Updated since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit the United States.

The Flag Manufacturers Association of America encourages all Americans to display their American Flags for this National Day of Service

Taking history class can be boring as you learn date after date and event after event for which you have no personal connection. But for six lucky Chapel Hill-Carrboro students, they have become friends with two WWII veterans and history doesn’t seem so distant anymore.