Well here we are nearing the end of February and still eagerly celebrating all these wonderful February holidays. Tomorrow is another one. If you read the papers or look on calendars, it\u2019s President\u2019s Day, or depending where you are, it may be Presidents\u2019 Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know \u2014 this isn\u2019t something to get all worked up about, but this is really a confusing \u201choliday.\u201d Both faithful readers have heard all this before, but I can\u2019t let this un-justice go without at least mentioning it annually. Long ago we celebrated George Washington and Abraham Lincoln\u2019s birthdays during the month of February. Fine \u2014 they were both great Presidents and their birthdays deserved recognition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill. That legislation changed the observance of Washington\u2019s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February. The Bill originally was intended to rename the holiday \u201cPresident\u2019s Day\u201d but that proposal failed in committees. The legislation passed, making the third Monday of February a federal holiday, but according to the legislation, it\u2019s Washington\u2019s Birthday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So \u2014 here we are\u2026.
Today is still officially called Washington\u2019s Birthday by the federal government.\u00a0
Some spell it President\u2019s Day. (refers to one President)
Some Spell it Presidents\u2019 Day. (refers to more than one President)
The difference in spelling denotes that some celebrate George Washington alone on this day and others celebrate George and Abraham Lincoln\u2026 and, some may be celebrating all presidents.\u00a0
Even though it\u2019s a federal holiday, each state is free to call it what they choose and how they celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be fair, there were four presidents born in February \u2014 George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Harrison and Ronald Reagan. The only names you hear mentioned are Washington and Lincoln. What about Harrison and Lincoln?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh well, happy third Monday of February \u2014 no matter what you call it, or how you celebrate.
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well here we are nearing the end of February and still eagerly celebrating all these wonderful February holidays. Tomorrow is another one. If you read the papers or look on calendars, it\u2019s President\u2019s Day, or depending where you are, it … Continue reading