Washington's birthday is when you say it is.
FROM TODAY'S PRINT EDITIONS:
Today is George Washington’s REAL birthday. Right? Well, sort of. Our first president was actually born on Feb. 11, 1732.
But in 1752, the American colonies finally switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, and everyone skipped ahead 11 days. So George began celebrating on the 22nd.
In 1971, most states, including Maryland, swept George’s day, and Abe’s, into President’s Day, marked on the third Monday in February.
But federal agencies, by law, still call the Monday holiday “Washington’s Birthday.”
(PHOTO: Baltimore Museum of Art)
Posted by Frank Roylance at 12:01 AM | Permalink
| Comments (2)
Categories: From the Sun's print edition, Sky Notes
Categories: From the Sun's print edition, Sky Notes
Comments
I say Washington's birthday is on Christmas Day. So starting this year, everyone who celebrates Christmas must wear a powdered wig on that glorious day. How festive!
Posted by: Todd | February 22, 2011 8:09 AM
By my count only 13 states call the day "President's Day." The other 37 still call it "Washington's Birthday," or some variation that honors someone else, generally Lincoln or Jefferson, but, in Arkansas, Daisy Gatson Bates.
As you might expect, Southern states, whatever they call it, don't acknowledge Lincoln.
Posted by: WJ | February 22, 2011 1:01 PM