I live in Washington State, which was named after our first president. His special day appears to have gone the way of most federal holidays, celebrating on a Monday. “President’s Day,” has become a day for shopping and is generally celebrated by shopping some of the best sales of the year. Most of our Calendars say “President’s Day.” Students in schools study and celebrate many presidents before this observed day. Though George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and William Henry Harrison were all born in February, a little know fact is that President’s day still is officially “Washington’s Birthday,”
“Contrary to popular belief, neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to “President’s Day.”
You sure don’t see many calling it “Washington’s Birthday” any more. I’m guessing it is because most simply don’t know that the name never was changed, and some states may have legally stated that it be named “President’s Day.”
George Washington’s birthday, February 22, will never fall on the date that has become the official federal holiday, which is the third Monday in February, therefore George Washington’s birthday will never be celebrated later than February 21. Somehow it has become politically correct to simply call it “President’s Day,” and though I feel that the presidents born in the month of February are worthy of special honor, you’ll not find me calling it that.
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The stories of Washington’s truthfulness, as a boy, when he chopped at a cherry tree with his “little hatchet” and then admitted to his father “I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet,” may or may not be true, but you can still find lots of versions of it.
This may be why folks want to concoct a variety of cherry desserts in the middle of February though he likely wouldn’t have had a cherry pie for his birthday, since the only cherries they could have found, in those days, in the middle of winter, were canned or dried.
The part that impresses me the most about George Washington is that he was a Godly man. He spoke of the hand of God, during both his inauguration and again during his farewell speech 8 years later.
“In his first inaugural address, April 30, 1789, Washington said:
- ‘It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect … In tendering this homage to the great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either.
- No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have been advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of his providential agency.
- … we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained…’ “
- “In his Farewell Speech, Sept. 19, 1796, Washington said:
- ‘The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of right and order which Heaven itself has ordained. … Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. …
- …reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles. It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.’ “
WE COULD USE A FEW MORE GEORGE WASHINGTONS!
- SO . . . the day that so many call “President’s Day” never officially got changed, and I for one will be calling and celebrating it as WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY!
- Who wants some cherry pie?.
Thanks for the article, very useful.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday, President Washington! I remember when we got two holidays off, when we celebrated Lincoln’s birthday separately. I’m so old! 😉
I remember that as well. I think I’m probably older than you.
Yes, we really should remember the history behind President’s day! George shares the same birthday as my daughter 🙂
That’s really neat. She should be honored. Does she like sharing a birthday with him?
Thanks for this informative post! Planning on using it in my homeschool…
I really appreciate that, as a former home school mama! Glad I can be of assistance.
I seem to recall celebrating both Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthday and both were bank holidays. When Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday became a federal holiday the two February holidays were combined. I didn’t know that there was no official renaming.
I don’t believe that Martin Luther King’s birthday has much to do with President’s day. I’m glad that we celebrate our past presidents on George Washington’s Birthday!
I never put too much thought into Presidents day, though I did know it moved around so it couldn’t be on someones birthday. But now that you mention it I wouldn’t mind some cherry pie!
I’m liking the idea of cherry pie. I’m wondering if I might have some cherries in my freezer or cupboards.
Great reminder that President’s Day is Washington’s birthday, he has such a special and important place in our nation’s history!
Absolutely! I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with history.
I would LOVE some cherry pie but will suffice with the satisfaction of knowing a tad more about the holiday than I knew before reading your post.
I would love me some cherry pie too. Thanks Betsy.
I think all people should remember history behind important dates!
Thank you Katerina. I love the way you use history all through your food blogging at Culinary Flavors! You have amazing skills.
i feel like at one point in my past i did know it was his bday, but forgot. thanks for the reminder!
Yes, me too! When I started researching George Washington, I was surprised and pleased (since I live in Washington State) to see that our first president was still remembered with a holiday in his honor.
Living in England, I had no idea about this. Thanks for sharing.
Lots of folks here in America don’t know this either. But, now you do!
Lots of fun information about Washington’s birthday, George Washington, and “President’s Day”. Thanks for sharing all of this!
Appreciate you stopping by. I’ll likely be celebrating his natural birthday – on February 22. There is a city here called “George Washington” and another nearby named after his wife, Called “Martha Washington” They have a big party / festival every year on his actual day.
I never knew this about Washington’s Birthday! Thank-you for this information!
It simply isn’t common knowledge!
Thanks for sharing at #LetsGetRealSocial link party. I call it President’s Day in honor of both Washington and Lincoln. I used to live in Washington state and know many people there that feel the same way. Good points.
True! I still celebrate Washington’s natural birthday on February 22. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by from “Let’s Get Real”