It’s Presidents Day

Hope you all have an enjoyable day of presidential activities today. Consider this an open thread.

But for a good overview of why we no longer celebrate Washington’s Birthday, we can blame Nixon or read this great article from the Christian Science Monitor:

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Washington’s Birthday.

Shh! Don’t tell any auto dealers, school boards, or mattress salesmen, but today isn’t officially Presidents’ Day across the United States. The more accurate term would be “Washington’s Birthday,” according to the federal statute designating the third Monday in February in honor of the father of our country, who was born on Feb. 22, 1732. So, why the confusion?

In 1968, an attempt to officially change the day to Presidents’ Day, to celebrate both Abraham Lincoln (who was born Feb. 12, 1809) and Washington on the same day, died in a congressional committee. (Lincoln’s birthday is observed, but it’s never been designated an official federal holiday.) Since that failed effort, 12 states have designated an official Presidents Day.

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  • Kurm Udgeon

    From today’s Hour or minute or 1/4 hour or rag…….

    “NORWALK

    The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for tonight through Tuesday.

    The advisory calls for snow to develop across the region this evening and continue into early Tuesday morning. A lull in perception is likely Tuesday morning.”

    I don’t know about you, but my perception hasn’t been lulled yet except when I try to read that piece of s–t.
    Have a nice snowstorm those of you who haven’t been lulled!

  • Sage

    All that means is we’re going to get a dusting, if that. However, the stampede to the grocery store has already begun. The meteorologists spake; and the lemmings bow to the knee-jerk.

  • http://YourCT.com Anonymouse

    With all due respect, if we’re limiting the number of national holidays, dont’ t
    the birthdays of the first President and the one who preserved the Union deserve more respect than MLK Jr.?

  • Curious

    Since they’ve been here longer and made more of an impact on the entire continent of North American than Dr. King ever has or will, I always wonder why there are no national holidays honoring Native Americans. Except, of course, for Columbus Day — which, to Native Americans only symbolizes their decimation…..