Abraham and George

Washington's Birthday, the federal holiday honoring our first president, George Washington, was originally celebrated on his actual birthday, February 22nd. In 1971, the holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February, and by the 1980's was referred to simply as 'Presidents Day.' It's assumed Presidents Day honors both Washington and President Abraham Lincoln (whose birthday is February 12). Turns out, Lincoln's birthday may be noted on many calendars, but was never a federal holiday.

Anyone that's had to combine their birthday with another relative, roommate or employee for the sake of efficiency and economy knows that it's just not the same.





In Illinois, where I grew up, and where Lincoln lived for many years, he is especially revered. There are several post offices that have gorgeous Works Project Administration murals devoted to Lincoln. He is always depicted as industrious and unpretentious.





For his considerable role in the formation of the United States, George Washington is referred to as 'the father of our country.'
He was a brave soldier early on, and a victorious general later in life. His serious expression in paintings, on statues and our one dollar bills makes it impossible to imagine him as a boy. In Grant Wood's painting depicting Parson Weem's fable of confessing to chopping down the cherry tree, young George looks up to his father with the face we all recognize.