On February 20, our nation will celebrate what is now referred to as Presidents Day. It is meant to honor and remember the past presidents of the U.S. and their contributions to creating the country it is today.
To many states, the day remains Washington’s Birthday. February 22 is President George Washington’s actual birthday. Our first president was elected to that post by a unanimous vote in 1789. His birthday was made a national holiday in 1885.
Often referred to as the Father of Our Country, Washington inspired his group of ragtag troops to victory over the British, and later presided over the Constitutional Convention. Both Washington D.C. and the state of Washington are named after him. The monument bearing his name is one of the most recognizable tributes in our nation’s capital. The U.S. Senate takes a moment to read his Farewell Address every year, a tradition that dates back to 1862.
Washington’s Birthday is now celebrated on the third Monday of February each year, but to some states, it is known as Presidents Day. Advocates in the 1960s wanted to honor both Washington and President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12, on a single federal holiday. Lincoln is known for his Civil War presidency during which he freed the slaves, but saw the nation break apart and begin the Civil War. His famous Gettysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches of all time. Contrary to popular belief, Washington’s birthday has never been officially changed to Presidents Day
