Feb 16 2009
Happy Presidents Day
It could never be enough for me to simply wish you all a Happy Presidents Day and be on my way…
As a veteran homeschooler, it has become a habit to try to delve into just about anything and everything…and today’s holiday is no exception! So without further delay, let’s delve!
The federal government officially calls today the observance of Washington’s birthday. Many Americans believe that today is a combination observance of both Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays. Actually, what goes on around you on this day is pretty much determined by where you live because it is up to each state whether they observe Washington’s Birthday or President’s Day. Some states even have another day set aside for Lincoln’s birthday separately.
Washington’s Birthday became an official observance in 1885 when President Chester Arthur made it so. Lincoln’s birthday was never a federal holiday on its own.
Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act in 1968. This moved the official observance of Washington’s birthday from February 22 to the third Monday of February. Some also wanted to change the name of the holiday to Presidents’ Day as a way of honoring both Lincoln and Washington. That was rejected by Congress and the holiday remained only Washington’s Birthday.
Despite where things stood, there continued a wide misconception that the day had been officially changed to President’s Day. Some states even dropped a former observance of Lincoln’s birthday after 1968, which seemed to suggest that the two birthdays were combined.
To this day, neither the combination of the birthday NOR the name change has ever been authorized by Congress. Public belief to the contrary is widespread, however. Calendars, advertising, and even other governmental agencies all refer to this day as President’s Day. Popular usage is now well established.
Many people think that “Presidents’ Day” is a good way to recognize both Washington and Lincoln. Some feel that Lincoln has historically been gypped by the lack of historical recognition for his birthday. Others feel just as strongly that the observance of “Presidents’ Day” diminishes Washington’s history.
So…what do you think?
I think that many things are portrayed as negative these days. In school the history we were taight about was different and today my kids didn’t even know what the holocaust was. I have threatened to home school! I think kids today don’t understand the significance of the day and why Washington and Lincoln are as important as they are, I think they look at it as a day off from school, and I don’t think it matters if we observe it together, they were individuals yes, but people have to work and kids have to go to school.
The History channel is right now running a documentary on every single president and running through to current. Right now they are going over the brief history of Pat Buchanan and they just said he was the first homosexual president and his niece was known as the first lady, because she was the official hostess and not his wife.
Years ago I’m not so sure if that issue would’ve been the focus of what they wanted him to be remembered for…i think they would’ve focused more on some accomplishments and then the switch to the next presidency…the world is different.