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By
Diane Forrest,
In 1800, Congress declared February 22 a federal
holiday. This day was named a federal
holiday because President George Washington was born on this day. 16 presidents
later, President Abraham Lincoln was in office.
He was born on February 12th.
Each state has the power to choose what holidays they wish to recognize,
however, the birthday of President Lincoln was never declared a federal
holiday. Some states celebrated
Washington's Birthday, some Lincoln's, some celebrated both, and some
celebrated neither. The state of Alabama
even recognized Thomas Jefferson's birth.
In order to eliminate the extra holidays, time off from
work and school, it was proposed in 1968 that a joint "President's
Day" would be acknowledge on the third Monday in the month of
February. The issue of this proclamation
is credited to President Nixon in 1971 in order to recognize all
presidents. Legally however, it will
always be known as President Washington's birthday.
While today may not hold any special activities in your
area, your kids will be out of school, and the banks will be closed, and the
mail won't run, so why not go to the mall and catch a great sale on mattresses
and bedding, and have a great President's Day!
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