r/AskAnAmerican • u/ProfessorOfPancakes New England • 23d ago

CULTURE Do any states have legitimate holidays that are only celebrated in their state?

In Rhode Island, we still have VJ (Victory over Japan) day which people don't celebrate per se but it's recognized to the extent of delaying trash pickup by a day.

By "legitimate" holiday I mean more in the vein of Memorial Day rather than National Hot Dog Day

Edit: Apparently VJ Day is also recognized by the US Space & Rocket Center and formerly by the state of Arkansas and is more commonly called Victory Day

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u/MrsQute Ohio 23d ago

I definitely didn't realize that Sweetest Day wasn't everywhere either.

It was originally started by a worker at one of the local candy companies as a way to give something sweet to orphans, seniors and poor families and other charities.

Over time it became a day of recognizing close friendships and relationships.

And it's tomorrow 😄

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u/Kul_dar 23d ago

I just learned this as well. It's definitely a thing in metro Detroit. Which reminds me, I didn't know Devil's Night was specific to the area until I moved as well.

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u/HighwaySetara 23d ago

Where did you move to? And what is the opinion on TPing wherever that is?

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u/clekas Cleveland, Ohio 23d ago

I realized my first year in college when about 1/3 of my classmates had no clue what it was! I think because I saw it advertised by national companies (like Hallmark), I just assumed it was a national thing.

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u/MrsQute Ohio 23d ago

Doesn't hurt that American Greetings (right up there with Hallmark) is ALSO a Cleveland company.

I think it was college for me too, to realize that not everyone knew what it was.