Monday, March 24, 2008

Happy Dyngus Day!!

In South Bend, we have a little known holiday that follows Easter. It involves politicians, drinking, pickled eggs, and more drinking. Politicians make the rounds, and this year Bill and Chelsea Clinton are coming to town. Apparently Nixon came as VP, as did Bobby Kennedy when he was running.

Here is the Wikipedia definition (somewhat abridged):

Formerly, the post-Easter festivities involved a week of secular celebration, but this was reduced to one day in the 19th century. Events include egg rolling competitions and, in predominantly Catholic countries, dousing other people with water which, at one time, had been holy water blessed the day before at Easter Sunday Mass and carried home to bless the house and food. The day remains informally observed in some areas such as the state of North Dakota, and the cities of Buffalo, New York and South Bend, Indiana.

Dyngus Day draws Clintons
by ED RONCO
SouthBendTribune.com; March 23, 2008

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear Professor,
To answer your questions.
1. Yes wooly mammoths did help build the pyramids. Through the evolution change a man named Dyngus Day helped bred the great wooly animals with little hands that were perfect for drawing the plans for these great monuments.
2. Dyngus Day was a distant relative of Dennis Day a famous Irish tenor. Dennis was a subway alumnus of Notre Dame, therefore, the connection with a celebration of his birthday.
3. It is also noted in anthropological history that Dyngus Day was the first person of prominence - president of the big pre-elephant society- to have an affair with an intern. Therefore the connection of having Clinton celebrate the day at Notre Dame.

I do hope this help put things into prospective.
Love
Sven