| Few young folks today recognize that "Presidents | | | | founding this nation and creating the Constitution that |
| Day" was actually a holiday created to specially | | | | we hold so dear. Washington deserves to be |
| recognize George Washington, on his birthday. The | | | | recognized as the greatest leader the United States |
| holiday was originally created in 1885 by a bill signed | | | | have ever had. |
| by President Chester Arthur, which declared that | | | | **What Does President's Day Mean to |
| February 22nd, Washington's Birthday, would be a | | | | Americans?** |
| federal holiday. | | | | If you ask most Americans about President's Day, |
| However, like most things to do with Washington, | | | | they'll likely tell you that it's one of the best shopping |
| things were not so simple. Washington's Birthday | | | | days of the year. Retailers offer some of the |
| was actually on February 11th, but that was | | | | steepest discounts of the year as they switch from |
| according to the Julian calendar. However, Britain | | | | winter stock to spring stock. Stores hope to clear |
| eventually shifted to the Gregorian calendar, which | | | | out floor space for the new inventory, and getting |
| moved everything ahead 11 days. Eventually, | | | | rid of the remaining winter goods are their highest |
| Abraham Lincoln was elected president and proved | | | | priority. Sometimes the priority is so high that sales |
| to be a president as great and served as much of a | | | | are very surprising. |
| catalyst to the nation as Washington did. His birthday | | | | Unfortunately, this practice has caused the national |
| was February 12th, and many states started to | | | | holiday, which was created to recognize President |
| observe that date as a holiday. | | | | Washington and President Lincoln, to become a highly |
| **The Birth of Presidents Day** | | | | commercialized holiday, much like Christmas has |
| Many years later, in 1968, members of Congress | | | | become. It seems unfortunate that most |
| decided that it would be easier to celebrate the | | | | Americans do not recognize the importance of the |
| holidays if they were on Monday so that workers | | | | day, the history behind it, and the history behind the |
| would have a three day weekend instead of having a | | | | men for which it was created. |
| broken week in the middle of the week. This bill | | | | |
| moved all holidays to Monday, so President's Day is | | | | **How to Recognize President's Day** |
| on the third Monday in February. This national | | | | That's not to say that you shouldn't enjoy a great |
| holiday is often called "President's Day," in honor of | | | | day of rock-bottom bargains at your local store. But |
| both Washington and Lincoln, but the official name | | | | primarily, parents should spend the day with their |
| remains "Washington's Birthday." | | | | kids, teaching them about Washington's life and the |
| In order to make the single national holiday more | | | | history of the birth of our nation. Parents should |
| inclusive of both Presidents, Congress considered a bill | | | | enjoy activities with their children that reflect on |
| to rename it as President's Day. Congress rejected | | | | what it means to be a U.S. President, and what sort |
| the bill. Some in Congress would like to make the | | | | of struggles and trials George Washington faced |
| national holiday more inclusive of not only Lincoln, but | | | | during his time as a child, his time on the battlefields |
| all Presidents who served our country. But when it | | | | of our young nation, and his time as a leader of this |
| comes down to it, the original purpose of the holiday | | | | great nation. |
| was to recognize the first significant and great | | | | Please visit ListofPresidents.net for a great list of |
| President who had one of the largest roles in | | | | resources about United States Presidents! |