Well, here it is Washington’s Birthday, or as we seem to like to call it now, “President’s Day.” It’s not actually Washington’s Birthday — its just an excuse for a three-day weekend and a chance for retailers to have their “Washington’s Birthday Sales” even though — as I said — it’s not Washington’s Birthday.
George Washington was born on February 11, 1731. But in 1731 Britain and her colonies used the Julian calendar. In 1752, the Gregorian calendar that we use today was adopted. When the new calendar was adopted, we jumped ahead 11 days and made January the first month of the year instead of March and Washington’s Birthday occurred on February 22, 1732.
Washington’s Birthday became an official holiday in 1885 when President Chester Arthur signed a bill making it a federal holiday. That federal holiday was celebrated on February 22 until 1971 when it was moved to the third Monday in February.
In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act, moving a lot of holidays around to provide for three day weekends. It moved the official observance of Washington’s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February. Some people, notably Richard Nixon, wanted to change the name of the holiday as well, to “Presidents’ Day.” Nixon proclaimed Washington’s Birthday as a day to remember all the former presidents. Even then, Nixon probably figured his birthday would never become a national holiday. However, Nixon’s proclamation and other proposals were rejected by Congress and the holiday remains officially Washington’s Birthday.
For once Congress did (almost) the right thing by not changing the name. But even so, the name has become popular and even commonplace — it is generally used on calendars, in all sorts of newspaper and TV ads and even by some government agencies.
Now even if you don’t believe Washington chopped down his father’s cherry tree, Washington was a man among men — without him there very well might not be a United States. It’s hard to believe a three day weekend is more important than formal recognition of the accomplishments of “the father of our country.” Even if it’s not the right day — Happy Birthday George!!
—30—
Always learning. I thought they had combined Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthday to make Presidents Day. didn’t realize offically it was still Washington’s birthday.
In actuality, that’s what has happened, but the official holiday is still Washington’s Birthday. If it’s left up to congress to get the name changed, I figure George is pretty safe for a long time to come….