Presidents' Day replaced separate celebrations in February

Presidents' Day replaced two February observances

When I was a schoolgirl in the early 1960s, we observed the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and George Washington on the 22nd. Lincoln's birth date was never a holiday, but teachers had us draw pictures of both US leaders, and we learned about their contributions.

Today, the United States has a federal holiday, Presidents’ Day, on the third Monday in February, which celebrates both men. Some Americans consider this to be a day to recognize all US presidents, past and present.

The origin of Presidents' Day

The origin of Presidents’ Day goes back to the 1880s, when Washington was the first US president and also the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

His birthday was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill. This shifted federal holidays to Mondays and gave federal employees an additional 3-day weekend.

Presidents' Day changes are made

In 1971 Presidents’ Day became the accepted name, rather than saying it was Washington and Lincoln's celebration. This was due in part to the fact that retailers made money by promoting President's Day sales and continue to do so.

There are ceremonies on the third Monday in the second month that take place throughout the nation. George Washington, our first president, is considered by Americans to be “The Father of Our Country”, although in recent years this has been debated.

Presidents' Day controversy

Some reports suggest that Washington was actually the fourth commander-in-chief. John Hanson is believed to have been the first. Washington, however, was the first official leader of the nation and, for many Americans, will always be considered as such.

American citizens actually began celebrating Washington’s birthday just a few months after his death on December 14, 1779. The observation became official when, in 1885, President Chester Alan Arthur signed a bill turning Washington’s birthday, on the 22nd of February, into a federal holiday.

President Lincoln’s birthday on the 12th of February was only celebrated as a state holiday for states that were outside of the old Confederacy. Presidents' Day is currently one of only 11 "permanently established" US holidays.

Washington honors Presidents' Day

Every year, on this date, in Washington D.C., the current President of the United States hosts a special event to commemorate the occasion. As part of the celebrations, “George Washington’s Farewell Address” is read in the Senate, and Americans to expected to reflect on the values of their nation and the founding fathers.

This has been met with resistance by some in recent years because Washington was a slaveholder. There are other ways President's Day is observed, including schools being closed in several states and during special ceremonies.

The lives of American presidents and their accomplishments are mentioned with special emphasis on Lincoln and Washington. Bringing to light facts that dispel myths we have believed is beneficial but we cannot cancel or erase the parts of our past history that we find uncomfortable.

The deaths of Washington and Lincoln

To be fair, it should be noted that while Washington had been a slave owner he stipulated in his will that upon the death of his wife, Martha, all of his slaves were to be set free.

George Washington died on December 14, 1799, and his true cause of death is not known. He is believed to have passed away from a severe throat infection although the medical community still debates today. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Boothe on April 15th, 1865.