Three-Day Weekends: The Myth Exposed!

When is a Three-Day Weekend Not a Three-Day Weekend?

There is an urban myth alive and well in this country, one that defies all logic and reason. It is the belief that the 3-day weekend creates a shorter workweek. To this there can be only one reply: "Ha!" (shorthand for "ha-ha!")

In theory, it should be so but practical experience shows it simply isn't true. There was a time when holidays appeared willy-nilly. They were sprinkled throughout the week like nuts on a sundae, always a welcomed treat. But that was back in the days of free enterprise and self-reliance. Then the government stepped in and decided it had to fix things up. In 1968, Congress (I think it was the US Congress) passed the Uniform Holiday Act. Initially, it was for the creation of a special holiday uniform to be worn by citizens during Federal holidays. But after much debate, several committees and some very thick accents, the bill created three-day weekends instead.

The bill intended to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays - Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. So, even though we wail about the fact that "short weeks feel longer" it was never Congress' intent to shorten weeks, but to lengthen weekends. Not affected were such holidays as Good Friday, Christmas, and Easter, which are protected by the State/Church Separation Act of 1961.