Whatever You Call the Holiday, Be Glad for George Washington

To the Editor:

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday on Monday, Feb. 16. It’s always nice to have a day off from work. Most of us called it “Presidents’ Day.”

Until 1968, George Washington’s Birthday was celebrated as a federal holiday on Feb. 22 each year. But when Congress adopted the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act,” it was changed to the third Monday in February instead of the actual birthday. And the Act specifically termed it “Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February.”

The name “Presidents’ Day” was never officially adopted.

That doesn’t make us less grateful for all those who have led this great nation. And hopefully it doesn’t make us less grateful to the giant of history who was our first President. Sunday, Feb. 22, will be George Washington’s 293rd birthday. Washington himself never made much of his birthday, but Americans were already celebrating it during his lifetime.

In this year celebrating America’s 250th birthday, take a moment on Sunday to reflect on how we secured our liberty and independence. George Washington was our commanding general; he was our first President.

Happy birthday, George.