Here we are, the third Monday in February celebrating President's Day. In reality it is George Washington's Birthday we celebrate, which was February 22, 1732. Abraham Lincoln's birthday was February 12, 1809 and while it is close to Washington's date of birth, it is not a Federal Holiday.
George Washington's birthday was celebrated by the newly formed United States while he was still alive, however, it wasn't until Chester Arthur signed a bill in 1885 that made it a Federal Holiday.
Since 1888, on February 22, the Senate has celebrated Washington's birthday by reading Washington's Farewell Address. The tradition has roots dating back to 1862 when the Address was read as a means to boost morale during the Civil War. Washington stressed the importance of national unity over sectional differences and his address warns of political factionalism, geographical sectionalism and interference by foreign powers.
Some interesting facts about George Washington that may, or may not give you cause to further the celebration.
George Washington was the only Founding Father to free his slaves.
He is the only President to be unanimously elected.
His doctor tried to revive his deceased body with lambs blood.
George Washington is only one of nine US Presidents to never attend college. The other eight are: Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland and Harrry S. Truman.
George Washington is one of twelve US Presidents to appear on US currency. He is one of three US Presidents to appear on both coin and paper currency. The other currency appearing Presidents are: Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington, are on both coins and paper currency. Franklin Roosevelt, Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower are on coins Jackson, U.S. Grant, McKinley, Cleveland, Madison and Woodrow Wilson are on paper.
During his lifetime George Washington contracted the following illnesses: malaria, smallpox, tuberculosis, malaria, dysentery and pneumonia!
A sixty foot sculpture of his head appears on Mount Rushmore.
He had no birth children. He married a widow named Martha Dandridge Custis, who had two children, Jacky and Patsy ages 4 and 3 at the time of the wedding. He raised them as his own.
Martha Washington, prior to her death, burned all written correspondence between her and her husband to protect their privacy.
Traditionally Washington's birthday is celebrated with desserts made of cherries or just a bowl of cherries. It honors the esoteric story the Washington would not tell a lie when asked if he cut down a cherry tree.
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