President Day

Amos Stevens

New Member
History of the Holiday

The original version of the holiday was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency). Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least in 1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others marked the occasion on the 11th instead.

By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken firm root in the American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions included Birthnight Balls in various regions, speeches and receptions given by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout the land. Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president and fellow February baby (born on the 12th of the month). The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several states.

In 1968, legislation (HR 15951) was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday, the observation of which was shifted to the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act, which took effect in 1971, was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays and give federal employees some standard three-day weekends in the process.

Apparently, while the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday (at least according to the Office of Personnel Management), it has become popularly (and, perhaps in some cases at the state level, legally) known as "President's Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.
 

Mama San

Administrator
Since I make my own calanders......
My calander says: February 12 is Lincoln's Birthday....
February 22 is Washington's Birthday (also my Dad's birthday!)

President's Day? Next they will be shoving Thanksgiving, Christmas
and New Years all into one day!
Sounds bitter doesn't it? Sorry but I detest stupid changes!!
Just my opinion!!!
God bless,
Mama san
 

Serena

Administrator
Thank you, Amos, for another interesting bit of Americana. :)

I agree, Mama san. It seems rather demeaning to these two great figures in American history to lump them together in one day, effectively losing their separate identity, just so city and government workers can have one day off for a long weekend.
 

Amos Stevens

New Member
Speaking of combining holidays..Arizona was blackmailed to do so:

We're told no super bowl if the voters didn't approve!

National Consensus on the Holiday
A number of states resisted celebrating the holiday. Some opponents said King did not deserve his own holiday—contending that the entire civil rights movement rather than one individual, however instrumental, should be honored. Several southern states include celebrations for various Confederate generals on that day, while Utah calls it Human Rights Day. Legislation is now pending to change the name to Martin Luther King Day. Arizona voters approved the holiday in 1992 after a threatened tourist boycott. In 1999, New Hampshire changed the name of Civil Rights Day to Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.
 

Baseball Lady

New Member
Amos,

Here in Irving (Texas), the city offices don't recognize MLK day. They said it would cost the taxpyers too much money to close for another three day weekend. Staff is allowed to take the day off as one of their floating holidays if they want off.

I still don't know why all those Presidents are only celebrated on one day, lumped together like they are insignificant while MLK gets his own day. I always wonder if he had lived to today, if he would be another Jesse Jackson. You know - Always ready to counsel other people about how to act while hiding an illegimate daughter the whole time.

BB Lady
 

suziwong

Administrator
Staff member
Thank you very much Amos. Actually I didn't know presidents day but I learned. very interesting.


in onenesss
 

KATHYPURDOM

Steven Seagal Fan
Mama san said:
Since I make my own calanders......
My calander says: February 12 is Lincoln's Birthday....
February 22 is Washington's Birthday (also my Dad's birthday!)

President's Day? Next they will be shoving Thanksgiving, Christmas
and New Years all into one day!
Sounds bitter doesn't it? Sorry but I detest stupid changes!!
Just my opinion!!!
God bless,
Mama san


I agree with you and since Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years do fall so close together you never know.
But if they did leave the Presidents birthdays seperate the schools would be closed more than they are now, and the kids have enough time off. More than I ever had.
 
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