GEORGE WASHINGTON was born on february 22, and ABRAHAM LINCOLN on feb 12, in case anyone remembers or cares. Once upon a time Americans celebrated both birthdays, separately, on the proper dates, because washington was considered the father of our country, and lincoln was considered the savior of same.
And, really, for the most part, they both still are so considered. The holidays, however, have been tightly, conveniently packaged into a single day, a monday in late february amorphously called "president's day". Presumably we now celebrate all forty four presidents rather than merely two, which would include richard "I am not a crook" nixon, but no one seems to be quite sure.
There is nothing better than a three day weekend, granted. Its the greatest thing since sliced bread, three days off work in a row.But does that justify blurring our celebration of washington and lincoln? After all, flawed as we now know they both were, they still did what we give them credit for. Two true, great americans.
Somehow a holiday loses a bit of its power if it is noved around at will, at the whim of humanity, and not celebrated on the actual date of the event it is intended to commemorate. Or does it? Do we really have any clear cut idea of what we are actually celebrating on "president's day"? Tell me its not nixon....
early in the history of the christian church, the birthday of jesus was moved from early april to late december, to accomodate and convert the germans, we are told by historians. It worked like a charm. The germans converted, and today are largely christian.
So, maybe its for the best after all. After all, holidays are intended to be a blessing to people, not a hindrance. I vaguely recall getting out of grade school for both lincoln and washington. But I don't believe businesses tended to close. Both washington and lincoln believed in hard work.
As long as we leave Independence Day alone, I'm good to go.
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