On February 22, President George Washington's birthday, we usually made things that involved cherry trees and hatchets. The teacher displayed our lovely artwork on the bulletin boards and I was always so proud when I saw mine go up in that special space with all the others, and even more so when I got to take my creation home.
Today, we don't celebrate the birthdays individually. They're now lumped into one day...the third Monday of February, which happens to be today, February 16th.
To conform with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Presidents Day was born on January 1, 1971. Now it recognizes any and all Presidents who've held office.
I can't help but wonder what the father of this country, President Washington, would think of our nation today. Would he be proud of our accomplishments? Our goals? The dissention of our people?
If you've not seen the movie 1776, I highly recommend it. The movie is filled with wonderful actors who reenact Congress and the signing of the Constitution of the United States.
Personally, I feel we need to get back to respecting what was written in the Constitution. It's what this country was founded on, what shaped who we are, how things are done. It may have been written 239 years ago, but the truths it contains still pertain to us...equality for all people, common sense, compassion for humankind.
Happy birthday, President Lincoln and President Washington...and to all who have come after you. I raise my glass in respect for the office of the Presidency and hold my freedom close to my heart.