President’s Day adds to the vast lack of historical knowledge of the average person, as well as general historical confusion.
In 1971, Congress passed a bill to rename Washington’s birthday Presidents Day, and to celebrate it on the third Monday of February instead of the actual date of Washington’s birth — Feb. 22. The holiday also was designated to honor Abraham Lincoln, whose Feb. 12 birthday was celebrated in many states but was not an official federal holiday.
But that was nearly 40 years ago. Now, it seems, many Americans are unsure exactly why their schools and banks and post offices are closed on Monday. Asked which presidents were being honored, people on the street provided many answers…
Originally Presidents Day was known as Washington’s birthday, but later Lincoln was added to the mix. As usual, Congress messed with what was known as Washington’s birthday to help create the confusion. But in any event, President’s Day honors Washington and Lincoln.
Arguably Washington and Lincoln are the two most important Presidents in history (and the best). Never forget.
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