Celebrating the Commanders-in-Chief: A Deep Dive into President's Day

As the United States observes the federal holiday on the third Monday of February, it is an opportune time to reflect on the evolution of "President's Day." Originally intended to honor only George Washington on his actual birthday, February 22nd, the holiday has transformed into a collective celebration of all 45 individuals who have served as the "CEOs of the USA."

The Evolution of the Holiday

While today is widely recognized as a day to honor all past and present leaders, the transition was not universal. In the 1800s, the focus was solely on the first president. Even today, states like Illinois, Iowa, and New York refer to the day as "Washington's Birthday," while Virginia specifically designates it as "George Washington Day." Furthermore, the U.S. Senate continues to honor the inaugural president by having a senator read his 7,640-word "farewell address" annually, a tradition maintained since 1896.

Quirky Facts About U.S. Presidents

History books often overlook the personal details of these leaders. Drawing from History.org, here are some unique insights:

• George Washington: Beyond his role as a "hero general" during the American Revolution, he created the "Badge of Military Merit," now known as the Purple Heart. Interestingly, he was also an avid dancer.
• James Madison: Standing at five foot four and weighing barely 100 pounds, he proved that stature does not dictate leadership capability.
• Martin Van Buren: As the eighth president, he holds the distinction of being the first to be "born an American," as his predecessors were born before 1776 and were technically "British subjects."
• Zachary Taylor: Known by the moniker "Old Rough and Ready," he famously never voted in an election until he was on the ballot himself.
• Ulysses S. Grant and Harry S. Truman: Both shared the quirk of having a middle initial that "stands for nothing."
• Lyndon B. Johnson: Before his political career, he spent four years working as a teacher near the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Gerald Ford: A talented athlete, he turned down professional football offers from the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers to pursue other paths.

The Linguistic Debate: The Apostrophe Conundrum

A recurring point of confusion regarding the holiday is the placement of the apostrophe. The debate remains unsettled:

• The Associated Press omits the apostrophe entirely.
• Many states use the singular possessive (President's Day).
• The New York Times utilizes the plural possessive (Presidents' Day) to acknowledge the inclusion of multiple leaders.

Ultimately, according to biographer Alexis Coe, George Washington himself was "not big on birthdays" and likely would have preferred to share the celebration with his fellow presidents, regardless of the punctuation used to describe the day.