Everyone likes to be recognized. Hey, I know that guy. Whoa, check out that girl. It's nice to get a little attention from your friends and neighbors. I'll acknowledge that, but I think people are getting a little out of control when it comes to mass recognition of all these personal holidays. Everyone wants the government to make their celebrations legitimate. Make everyone recognize what they think is important. Make them address different lifestyles, different beliefs, different heroes, and different holidays. Enough is enough, people. We don't need state approval to celebrate whatever we want.

I'm writing this on Sunday, June 19. This year, that happens to be Father's Day, and every year, it's Juneteenth. Father's Day celebrates men who not only knocked up a woman but also decided to stick around and raise their offspring. You are not a father if you cut and run away from the responsibility. Juneteenth celebrates the day when the last slave in America (Galveston, Texas to be exact) was set free in 1865. That was two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Word traveled slowly to slave owners from Texas in those days.

Father's Day has been recognized for decades. The state recognizes it. Everyone recognizes it. We know instantly what it means. Millions of Dads get ties, phone calls or what have you. When I hear the word Juneteenth, it reminds me of the postmortem Ralph Ellison's novel that I have yet to read. I've read his acclaimed novel Invisible Man a couple times. Along with The Autobiography of Malcolm X, that's my favorite book about African Americans.

Very few people recognize Juneteenth. This vexes a lot of folks who feel a personal connection with the holiday. They want their state to acknowledge June 19 as a Juneteenth holiday. 17 states have done just that, and there is a push to make it a national holiday. Some people just aren't satisfied unless their government gives them their official seal of approval.

There's nothing wrong with celebrating Juneteenth or Father's Day. I'm glad we freed the slaves 140 years ago, and without a father, I wouldn't be here today. Do I care if the government acknowledges these moments? Nope. There are tons of reasons to celebrate and have get togethers: personal, professional, technical and historical.

I will toast most positive celebrations with an alcoholic beverage or two, but to be honest, the only days that really feel like actual holidays are the national ones when the bulk of the nation gets the day off with pay: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas. That's six days. If you work at a bank or some government agency, you can add a few more like Martin Luther King's Day, President's Day, Easter, and Columbus Day (!). For most of us, it's really just the big six.

I'll drink some Jamison or Guinness on St. Patrick's Day and Dos Equis on Cinco de Mayo. I'll live by any means necessary on Malcolm X's birthday (May 19) and lively up myself on Bob Marley's birthday (Feb. 6). There's Pearl Harbor Day and 9/11. Toast to those who endured the attacks. Kurt Kobain's body was found on April 8. My friend Brian died on November 4. Here's a nod to young lives never to return.

I don't care what the government acknowledges. I pay homage to whoever and whatever people and events I want. I don't need any approval, permission or recognition. If you get right down to it, something important has happened on every day of the year. Unless it's a paid holiday, every holiday is a personal choice. As a bit of irony, the Juneteenth celebration in Albuquerque was yesterday on June 18. I guess they couldn't compete with Father's Day.

So, hurrah hooray, kulloo kulay, the slaves are free! Hot diggity dog, my pappy still likes me. Double holiday! Double celebration! Double drinking! It's amazing how many events should be remembered, how many people deserve recognition, and beliefs should be celebrated. Here's to us and whatever we want to personally recognize. It's great day for a holiday.

Chris Jungle has a birthday in nine days. Commence the celebration!