Fun ways to celebrate and honor our nation’s presidents
Presidents Day is this upcoming Monday. The holiday was originally named Washington’s Birthday. But it was changed to Presidents Day in 1971 after congress moved the day to the 3rd Monday of February.
Today the holiday is celebrated to honor the February birthdays of Washington and Lincoln but also all presidents past and present. In true American fashion, citizens celebrate the day by taking advantage of the numerous shopping sales.
Other events of the holiday to honor Washington in particular include a birthday celebration held at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Virginia and another birthday celebration at Mount Vernon with complimentary admission.
Popular celebrations to honor Lincoln were held on the president’s actual birthday, February 12th, and included a wreath laying ceremony at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in Kentucky and another celebration at Lincoln Boyhood National memorial.
The National Park Service holds a ceremony to honor all other presidents on the holiday, and this year Jimmy Carter, the first president to be born in a hospital, is set to speak (see more fun facts below). Shortly after his speech, Carter will be available to sign autographs for anyone who is interested.
Fun President Facts
-A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland, and a week before Kennedy was shot he was in Marilyn Monroe.
-George Bush Sr. survived four plane crashes during WWII.
-James Madison was the smallest president, standing at 5’4’’ and less than 100lbs.
-James A. Garfield could write with both hands at the same time, in different languages.
-Grover Cleveland was the first and only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
-Warren G. Harding gambled away a set of the White House’s china.
-George Washington teeth were made from elephant and walrus tusks.
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