Founders’ Day
October 17, 2007
The world is full of rightfully obscure holidays (working closely with the USPS, we get to witness all of them). However, there are a few which actually deserve far greater attention.
Founders’ Day is once such celebration. Every year on October 27, employees give gifts to the founders of the companies which employ them and consumers give gifts to the founders of companies they love. It’s a celebration of the gift of consumption which those companies give to us every day of the year.
At least here at Postful, it’s the one holiday we go all out on.
Now, as with most holidays, its history is perhaps somewhat less than charming. Origins date back to the feudal system where peasants were “asked” to provide gifts of thanks every year to the owners of their land. 
Founders’ Day in it’s modern form was inaugurated by Henry Clay Frick in 1896 as a punishment for workers after the Homestead Strike at Carnegie Steel.
Andrew Carnegie, on his return from travels abroad, learned of this decision and softened the holiday into something more resembling its modern form.
In terms of modern iconography, the popular characters of the Jolly Founder and the Spirit of Capital were introduced through advertising campaigns in the 30′s.
Over the years, the holiday has seen its popularity rise and fall. Over the last several years it’s enjoyed something of a resurgence, particularly in the US tech industry and the manufacturing sector in Southeast Asia.
This year we’d like to invite you all to join us in celebration! Only ten days left to pick out your gifts!
