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It's Anniversary Day, So 1.1 Million School Kids Have The Day Off And You Don't
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 7, 2018
Modified Jun 7, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 7, 2018
Modified Jun 7, 2018
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If you're the parent of a NYC public school student, you may have sleepily prepared your child's lunch this morning and then realized you wasted your time, because it's Anniversary Day (again). If you're not a parent, then you may be wondering why there are kids adorably wandering around your workplace.
Anniversary Day is a tradition dating back to the 1800s, when it was "Brooklyn-Queens Day." The Queens Public Library explains: "Brooklyn-Queens Day originated as a Protestant holiday celebrated in the City of Brooklyn in 1829. Back then it was known, and fondly remembered by some, as Anniversary Day. Anniversary Day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday in June, commemorating the founding of the First Sunday School on Long Island. The first parade was held in Brooklyn June 1829. The New York State Legislature enacted, in 1959 at the request of the Queens Federation of Churches, the bill permitting the schools in both Kings and Queens Counties to be closed on this day. It was signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller."
Children at the 1944 Brooklyn-Queens Day Parade (Library of Congress)
Thus, from 1959 through 2005, schoolchildren in only Brooklyn and Queens got the day off. The United Federation of Teachers negotiated to bring the holiday to all boroughs during their 2005 contract negotiations, making 2006 the first citywide Anniversary Day. That year, a teacher reminisced to the NY Times:
A few years back, a friend of mine, a roller coaster enthusiast, carefully planned a trip to Great Adventure. To avoid long lines and unchaperoned teenagers, he chose to visit the park while the schools were still in session in early June. He thought he had picked the perfect day, but upon arrival he saw long lines of unruly, popcorn-throwing schoolchildren.
"You should have called me," I told him. "It was Brooklyn-Queens Day."
"Brooklyn-Queens Day! What is that?"
I spent my first teaching year in Brooklyn. When the great day came, I celebrated unquestioningly, even smugly. "Why are you off school?" I was asked. I just shrugged and said, "Brooklyn-Queens Day, of course. "
The city describes the day as "Anniversary Day. Chancellor's Conference Day for staff development. In all five boroughs, students will not be in attendance."
On Monday, June 11th, there is a "clerical day" for elementary and middle schools, meaning those students have the day off. Then, Friday, June 15 is Eid al-Fitr, which means all schools are closed. High school students have off on Friday, June 22, for Regents Rating Day.
June 26th is the last day of school, so Godspeed.
Tagged
anniversary day
nyc schools
public schools
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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