Presidents’ Day
Every third Monday of February (February 19) we celebrate Presidents’ Day in all its patriotic glory. Many people relish their day off of work, but they might be surprised to know that that was the point! In 1971, Presidents’ Day moved in an effort to create more three-day weekends for the public in the hope that this would inspire greater productivity nationwide. It was believed that at this point in the year, the restorative effects of the winter holidays have begun to fade and people need another break to regain some of that lost stamina.
HISTORY OF PRESIDENTS’ DAY
After the death of George Washington in 1799, his birthday was unofficially celebrated as a day of remembrance called Washington Day. Throughout the 1800s, people used this day to honor the man that shaped America and the legacy he left. In 1832, a resolution permitted the removal and internment of George Washington’s body in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. and the erection of the Washington Monument in 1848 caused more celebrations nationwide.
It wasn’t until the late 1870s that Steven Wallace Dorsey proposed that Washington’s birthday should become a national federal holiday. President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law in 1879 and joined the four existing bank holidays that were previously approved in 1870. Because of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy and the proximity of his birthday on February 12, it was proposed that Washington Day should become Presidents’ Day to celebrate both men, but that idea was rejected by Congress.
Washington’s Birthday didn’t officially become Presidents’ Day until the late 1960s. Senator Robert McClory of Illinois concocted a plan that moved key bank holidays to Mondays to increase the number of three-day weekends for workers in what’s known as the Uniform Monday’s Act. The hope was that it would increase productivity and decrease employee absenteeism. Unsurprisingly, the labor union agreed with this idea and so did the private sector.
In 1971, Richard M. Nixon made the executive order to pass the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which shifted Washington’s Birthday, Columbus Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans’ Day to Monday. With the date landing in the middle of Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthday, it became known as Presidents’ Day, while having a simultaneous benefit for retail stores as they advertised their special sales events during this time. By the mid-1980s, Presidents’ Day became the common term and continues to be called as such to this day.
PRESIDENTS’ DAY ACTIVITIES
1.Take a historical journey
There are plenty of historical sites and tours that you and your family can indulge in to learn about the history of the presidency. Washington D.C. is the obvious place, but if you don’t live in Virginia and don’t wish to travel, learn about your local government and how presidents have impacted your community. Your local history museum is sure to have documents and artifacts that are sure to enlighten you.
2.Know your presidents
Take this time to take a deep dive into the history of the American presidents that aren’t often spoken of. Everyone knows the names Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington, but what about Martin Van Buren and John Tyler? While they might not be as big as the greats, their time in office forms a part of the legacy as a whole and important in their own right.
3.Make it a game
Sometimes, we can take our history for granted, so why not create a quiz you can play at home? Split off into teams and write down questions about the presidents and the presidency. It has the dual benefit of informing everyone on American history and, as an added bonus, you can best everyone with your historical knowledge.
WHY WE LOVE PRESIDENTS’ DAY
A. Knowledge is power
Those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. It’s important to know history so that we can properly understand the state of things. All of the successes and failures have had a direct effect on our current state, and if we hope to make things better, we have to know the truth of what went on before.
B. Remembrance
Presidents’ Day allows us to pause and give respect to the legacy of those who came before. It’s easy to take life for granted, and the acts of these men seem so long ago, but the American presidents have been a driving force in every aspect of life.
C. Inspiration
While nothing is perfect, it’s important to hold onto the ideals that the country stands for and allow it to inspire you to reach greater heights. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is meant for all people and it’s up to us to make sure it happens.
References:
“Presidents’ Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/presidents-day/