NATIONAL DOCTORS DAY
March 30th marks the annual observation
of National Doctors Day. This day was established to recognize
physicians, their work and their contributions to society and the
community. On National Doctors Day, we say “thank you” to our
physicians for all that they do for us and our loved ones.
Healthcare
today is more complex than ever. With more advancements, tools and
information at their fingertips doctors have an overwhelming job to
diagnose and treat their patients every day. This is the day to
honor the men and women who see us 365 days a year.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Take the opportunity to thank your
physician for responding to late night phone calls, working long hours
and providing unswerving care. Use #NationalDoctorsDay to post on social
media.
HISTORY
March 30, 1933, was the first
observance of Doctors Day in Winder, Georgia. Dr. Charles B. Almond’s
wife, Eudora Brown Almond, wanted to have a day to honor physicians. On
this first day in 1933, greeting cards were mailed and flowers placed
on the graves of deceased doctors. The red carnation is commonly used
as the symbolic flower for National Doctors Day.
The first ether anesthetic for surgery
was administered by Crawford W. Long, M.D. on March 30, 1842, marking
the date for Doctors Day. On that day, before Dr. Long operated to
remove a tumor from a man’s neck, he administered ether anesthesia.
Following surgery, the man would swear that he felt nothing during the
surgery and was not aware of anything until he awoke.
In 1991, National Doctors Day was proclaimed by President George Bush. The following is the complete proclamation.
George Bush
Proclamation 6253 – National Doctors Day, 1991
February 21, 1991
Proclamation 6253 – National Doctors Day, 1991
February 21, 1991
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation by President George Bush
A Proclamation by President George Bush
More than the application of science and technology, medicine is a
special calling, and those who have chosen this vocation in order to
serve their fellowman understand the tremendous responsibility it
entails. Referring to the work of physicians, Dr. Elmer Hess, a former
president of the American Medical Association, once wrote: “There is no
greater reward in our profession than the knowledge that God has
entrusted us with the physical care of His people. The Almighty has
reserved for Himself the power to create life, but He has assigned to a
few of us the responsibility of keeping in good repair the bodies in
which this life is sustained.” Accordingly, reverence for human life and
individual dignity is both the hallmark of a good physician and the key
to truly beneficial advances in medicine.
The day-to-day work of healing conducted by physicians throughout the
United States has been shaped, in large part, by great pioneers in
medical research. Many of those pioneers have been Americans. Indeed,
today we gratefully remember physicians such as Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
and Dr. Charles Drew, who not only advanced their respective fields but
also brought great honor and pride to their fellow Black Americans. We
pay tribute to doctors such as Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk, whose
vaccines for poliomyelitis helped to overcome one of the world’s most
dread childhood diseases. We also recall the far-reaching humanitarian
efforts of Americans such as Dr. Thomas Dooley, as well as the
forward-looking labors of pioneers such as members of the National
Institutes of Health, who are helping to lead the Nation’s fight against
AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening diseases. These and other
celebrated American physicians have enabled mankind to make significant
strides in the ongoing struggle against disease.
However, in addition to the doctors whose name we easily recognize,
there are countless others who carry on the quiet work of healing each
day in communities throughout the United States — indeed, throughout the
world. Common to the experience of each of them, from the specialist in
research to the general practitioner, are hard work, stress, and
sacrifice. All those Americans who serve as licensed physicians have
engaged in years of study and training, often at great financial cost.
Most endure long and unpredictable hours, and many must cope with the
conflicting demands of work and family life.
As we recognize our Nation’s physicians for their leadership in the
prevention and treatment of illness and injury, it is fitting that we
pay special tribute to those who serve as members of the Armed Forces
and Reserves and are now deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm.
Whether they carry the tools of healing into the heat of battle or stand
duty at medical facilities in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere, these
dedicated physicians — along with thousands of nurses and other medical
personnel — are vital to the success of our mission. We salute them for
their courage and sacrifice, and we pray for their safety. We also pray
for all those who come in need of their care.
In honor of America’s physicians, the Congress, by Senate Joint
Resolution 366 (Public Law 101-473), has designated March 30, 1991, as
“National Doctors Day” and has authorized and requested the President to
issue a proclamation in observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim March 30, 1991, as National Doctors Day. I
encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs
and activities.
NATIONAL PENCIL DAY
Each year, March 30th is National
Pencil Day. Hymen Lipman received the first patent for attaching an
eraser to the end of a pencil on this day in 1858.
The
majority of these writing utensils made in the United States are
painted yellow. It is believed that this tradition began in 1890 when
the L & C Hardtmuth Company of Austria-Hungary introduced their
Koh-I-Noor brand, named after the famous diamond. This pencil was
intended to be the world’s best and most expensive pencil. Other
companies then began to copy the yellow color so that their pencils
would be associated with the high-quality brand.
Notable pencil users (Wikipedia)
- Thomas Edison had his pencils specially made by Eagle Pencil. Each pencil was three inches long, was thicker than standard pencils and had softer graphite than was typically available.
- Vladimir Nabokov rewrote everything he had ever published, usually several times, by pencil.
- John Steinbeck was an obsessive pencil user and is said to have used as many as 60 a day. His novel East of Eden took more than 300 pencils to write.
- Vincent van Gogh used only Faber pencils as they were “superior to Carpenters pencils, a capital black and most agreeable.”
- Johnny Carson regularly played with pencils at his Tonight Show desk. These pencils were specially made with erasers at both ends to avoid on-set accidents.
- Roald Dahl used only pencils with yellow casing to write his books. He had six sharpened pencils ready at the beginning of each day and only when all six became unusable did he resharpen them.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Pick up some new pencils and use #NationalPencilDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the creator of National Pencil Day.
