Cecil B. Day

Infobox Person
name = Cecil Burke Day

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birth_date = birth date|1938|12|9|mf=y
birth_place = Brooklet, Georgia, United States
death_date = death date and age|1978|12|15|1934|12|9
death_place = Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia, United States
other_names =
known_for =
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Cecil Burke Day - (December 10, 1934 - December 15, 1978) was the founder of Days Inn Hotels. Cecil began his academic career at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where he dropped out to join the United States Marine Corps. When Day completed his Marine training, he began schooling at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a business degree. By the time he had graduated, Day was married and had children.

It was in Atlanta, Georgia, where he sold his first duplex for $4,000,000. Using this money, Day put into action his plan for the first Days Inn on Tybee Island, Georgia. He founded the corporation in 1972. He was the first to coin the phrase "budget-luxury", a phrase many could relate to at the time. With the Vietnam War coming to an end and an oil embargo on the horizon, Day timed his plan perfectly. At this point, Day was the father of five children. He was a devout Southern Baptist. Day died in 1978 from cancer.

The Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University and the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center are named in his honor.