LOCATION: 2008 EVENT ENTERTAINMENT INFORMATION
HISTORY OF NATIONAL DAY
OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY
American Cowboy magazine launches the "National Day of the Cowboy" campaign in 2004 Magazine Becomes Trail Boss on a Drive to honor "The Cowboy" American Cowboy magazine launched the campaign in 2004. Initially, the impulse arose from a dialogue between the magazine and its readers. On the occasion of its 10th Anniversary (May/June 2004) AC asked its readers for feedback on the question, "Why does America need the cowboy?"
That dialogue led to two cover stories-"The Cowboy as Hero" (July/Aug. 2004) and "Five Westerners Who Changed America" (Nov./Dec. 2004). In the interim, the magazine turned the discussion to the query, "Does the cowboy need his day?" From the overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response AC received, the decision was made to draft a resolution which reads in part, "A resolution designating a day as "The National Day of the American Cowboy" and encouraging people to recognize the cowboy and the cowgirl for their enduring contribution to the courageous, pioneering spirit of America." and present it to a sponsoring senator. Continued support from AC's readership, in the form of pleas made to legislators and to the White House, contributed strongly to the measure's passage initial in 2005. This legislation would create an official United States Day of Recognition for the cowboy and the cowgirl ("The Cowboy"). The magazine initiated the campaign, "out of a feeling that The Cowboy's courage, hard work and honesty, played an integral part in adding to the deep, solid foundation on which America is built, and as such deserves to be honored and recognized." To kick start the campaign American Cowboy distributed press releases and fliers asking folks to become involved first-hand in the process of building the holiday into a nationally recognized holiday. Below is an example of the tasks we asked and continue to ask of everyone. 1. They were asked to forward the website address to others, and ask them to review and sign the petition if they agreed with the resolution, then asked them to pass it on. 2. Asked retail outlets to display the petition in their stores and mention the campaign to folks who may want to sign or distribute it. 3. To officially endorse the campaign by sending us their company logo and/or post our logo on their website. 4. Contact local government officials and to voice their support of the campaign. So, what began as a question "Why does America need the cowboy?" in the magazine is now forever a memorial to the American cowboy. What began as feedback and urgings from you, our readers, is now a tribute to the greatest national symbol this land has ever produced. In July 2005, just days before the designated "fourth Saturday in July" that was proposed as the annual observance of this occasion, President George W. Bush signed Senate Resolution 138, proclaiming the " National Day of the American Cowboy".
Work continues asking for legislative action required to make the fourth Saturday in July to be the official ongoing date a recognized national holiday, American Cowboy asks that everyone celebrate the upcoming holiday on July 22, 2006 in their own way. You can order prints and bumper stickers directly from us but feel free to make this your own celebration as well. Established in 1984, American Cowboy magazine, headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming, promotes itself as a wholesome, positive, family-oriented magazine dedicated to the Western lifestyle. Each issue has coverage of the Western lifestyle, including culture, horses, travel, history, food, fashion, rodeo, art, western music, and events. The magazine has websites at www.americancowboy.com and www.adventureswest.com.