Honky Tonk Foodie
We Texans are proud to celebrate holidays with the rest of the United States, but sometimes we need to branch out and create our own. One such example is LBJ Day, celebrated on August 27 of each year, which was the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson. This Texas state holiday is a nod to a native Texan who became the U.S. Commander in Chief.
In politics, LBJ first served as a United States Representative from 1937 to 1949, then as a U.S. Senator from 1949 to 1961, next as Vice President of the United States from 1961 to 1963, under John F. Kennedy. After Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963, LBJ became the 36th president of the United States, going on to serve from 1963 to 1969. Under President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Congress passed including the 1964 and 1968 Civil Rights Acts, the Voting Rights Act, and the Medicare and Medicaid Acts. Additionally, he spent six years as Senate Majority Leader, two as Senate Minority Leader, and two as Senate Majority Whip. Currently, LBJ is one of only four people who have served as President, Vice President, as well as in both houses of Congress.
Photo: @martyweil via Twenty20
LBJ retired after his second term as President, and later died in 1973 at the same place he had been born: Stonewall, Texas. He is also buried there. After his interment, a legal state holiday was created by the Texas State Legislature. Special events are held each year across the Lone Star State. The holiday is optional for state employees, and state offices do not close. The holiday in 2020 falls on a Thursday and may not have the usual programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic but keep an ear to social media. The holiday in 2021 falls on a Friday, the perfect day to visit his ranch!
