Why the US celebrates this date

The third Monday of February is the one chosen by the American people to celebrate Presidents’ Day, which commemorates the natives of President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln, in a holiday that also celebrates the legacies of the leaders of the Nation.

The third federal holiday of the year began to be held even with Washington in life and continued after his death in 1797, according to reviews of the time. The first president of the country was born on February 22, 1732.

He then expanded to honor President 16 of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who also had his birth party in February, specifically on the 12th.

Lincoln led the country during the decisive period of the Civil War(1861 – 1865) He was killed in a theater at the end of the conflict. Due to its impact on the history of the country, its figure acquired a transcendental character in US history.

Of a scattered celebration to a national holiday

The Americans entered the nineteenth century on February 22 as the Day of the Birth of George Washington, but about 12 states already had an official celebration of the “Birthday of Washington and Lincoln” on the third Monday of February. Meanwhile, 12 of the 50 states called him president’s day.

In 1968, at the initiative of the representative by Illinois, Robert McClory, the proposal to establish holidays and establish its mandatory compliance for the entire country by federal mandate was introduced.

According to him Official Information Portal of the US government, with the “Law of Uniform Holidays” on Monday, the holidays distributed throughout the year were organized with the aim of promoting long weekends for workers, which would promote economic activity with trips and other activities .

“In 1971, the implementation of the Monday uniform holiday law transferred the celebration of Washington’s birthday to the third Monday of February. Some reformists wanted to change the name of the presidents holiday, in honor of Lincoln and Washington. ”

But in the absence of agreement and although in paper it still has a name, the strength of the tradition made the party even more inclusive when “rooted strongly in public consciousness to honor all the presidents of the United States”, so much so that in The present is taken for granted that is for all the leaders.

What activities do Americans enjoy that day?

This Monday, in different cities from all over the country, massive activities and educational days are held to highlight the presidential figures, events that include parades with historical recreations, patriotic exhibitions and musical bands.

Activities try to highlight the different aspects of American history, paying tribute to the leaders of the Nation.

Some schools also include special tasks for students about the presidential history of the United States and the importance of the figures that have shaped the history of the nation.

The monuments erected to the presidents in Washington and other cities in the country are visited to deposit floral offerings, with the participation of public and military officials.

And for many Americans the celebration also offers the opportunity to share with family, another rooted and precious value, enjoying a holiday.

Among the activities also stands out in the Historic Center of Alexandria, Virginia, near the farm of Mount Vernon, Washington’s family home on the shore of the Potomac River.

For this day, access will be free to the mansion turned into a museum and its surroundings, which hosts a period festival to return its old appearance to the house.

Given the forecasts of the climate, the organizers of this parade made it before, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 15 under the subject: «George Washington: the commander in chief of the United States.»

Presidents Day at the White House

According to the Historical Association of the White House, the presidents throughout the history of the United States have celebrated the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln in various ways. For example, President Andrew Jackson celebrated Washington’s birthday in 1837 with a 635 kilograms cheese wheel (1,400 pounds) that he shared with the guests.

In 1931, President Herbert Hoover went to La Nación through a radio speech to commemorate Lincoln’s birthday, and President Lyndon B. Johnson celebrated a lunch for Lincoln’s day in the White House in 1965.

In 2015, President Barack Obama commemorated the day renewing the White House websites over each president of the United States to facilitate the knowledge of its history.

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