Here are some interesting facts about the day and the two presidents it honors:
1) It's Not Really Presidents Day, Federally Speaking
The official name of the holiday remains Washington's Birthday. A draft of the Uniform Holidays Bill of 1968 would have renamed the holiday to Presidents' Day to honor the birthdays of both Washington and Lincoln, but this proposal failed in committee and the bill as voted on and signed into law on June 28, 1968 kept the name Washington's Birthday. (Source: Wikipedia)
2) Happy Harry Truman Day?
In 1971, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the that the third Monday of February would honor ALL past presidents of the United States of America. Since that change the day is commonly referred to as "Presidents Day".
3) Check Your Calendar
In New Mexico, state government employees are given a paid holiday on Presidents Day - the day after Thanksgiving!
4) Washington Didn't Sleep Here
George Washington is the only U.S. president who did not live in the White House; it wasn't completed until after he left office.
5) Where's the Party?
Washington did not belong to a political party; he fervently opposed them. Before the establishment of the Republican party, Lincoln was a member of the Whig party.
6) Mailing It In
George Washington is the first president to be featured on a postage stamp. Abraham Lincoln is the only president honored on a U.S. Airmail stamp.
7) Tall Tales
Abraham Lincoln was the tallest of the U.S. presidents measuring 6' 4" tall, while George Washington was 6' 2" tall.
The Lincoln Memorial is 99 feet tall and President Lincoln's statue is 19 feet tall. The Washington Memorial is 555 feet and 5 1/8 inches tall, according to the National Park Service.
8) Home Sweet Home
Although the state of Illinois is known as the "Land of Lincoln", he was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809.
Lincoln began his political career in Illinois, serving as a State Assemblyman in 1834.
9) Honesty Is The Best Policy
Both men were highly esteemed for their honesty. The "I cannot tell a lie" cherry tree tale paid tribute to Washington's reputation for truth. Lincoln's nickname was "Honest Abe", for legend has it he once walked several miles to return a customer's overpayment of 6 cents when he worked at a general store.
10) Washington defeats Lincoln, 31 -17
Thirty-one counties in the United States are named for Washington while only 17 counties are named after Lincoln.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5939194
No comments:
Post a Comment