
Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. --www.history.com/topics/presidents-day.
Wow!! Who knew, I mean I thought it was just another day for huge car sales, and for another three-day weekend. I mean really, there are actually historical based traditions for this day? Hmmm, I’m pretty sure that the majority of the people if asked, would just think it’s another day of “Huge Sales”. They might think it’s a day to celebrate our nations past presidents. But most just celebrate the fact that they don’t have to work on a Monday. In fact, the majority of the people I encounter, on a daily basis, would be more excited about the fact that they could go to the mall and get a t-shirt for 2 dollars, than the fact that we are an Independent Nation. I’m all for celebrations and sales, but not without remembering what the celebration is supposed to feature. I highly doubt Washington would want to be included with every President we’ve ever had. So here are some little facts that I happen to know about our First President, and Father of this Country:
1. George Washington was our nations first president, and
given the name “Father of his Country”.
2. He was, and still is one of the greatest Military commanders in History.
He Lead by example His Mottoes “ Deeds not Words” and “For God and my Country.”
3. He was strongly rooted in his Faith in God, and frequently
read from the Bible during speeches.
4. Washington never officially joined a political party because
he thought they created too much division.
5. He was a Surveyor, a Commander, and a Justice of the Peace.
6. He was a Delegate to the Continental Congress, Presided over the
Constitutional Convention, and Became our Nations First President.
As a nation we still look to George Washington’s’ ideas and principles, for the foundation in which we continue to build this nation. Perhaps we should be a little more aware of what he stood for, and why his ideas worked. Maybe we need to get back to our roots just a little bit, and stay fast to the ideals that this nation was built on. Maybe we should be more concerned with the lack of honesty, integrity, and individualized me attitude that our “Leaders” now possess, than whether they are Democrat or Republican. Perhaps, if we as a People once again stood together, this country would rise up instead of continuing to fall apart. Instead of tearing each other down, instead of double standards for different classes, let us unite as one. Let us be the “Greatest Nation, and let us learn from our past, so that we may have a brighter future. Just something to think about while you finish celebrating Presidents day, or more formally known as Washington’s Birthday!
"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." - General Orders - May 2, 1778