This Monday, February 20, 2023, in some states of the territory of the United States, there is a day of recognition of all the American presidents that the country has had so far. From the first ruler, George Washington to Joe Biden, this day recognizes all the work these officials have done to keep America united, in sovereignty, and in mutual respect.
Regardless of how the holiday is called according to the laws of each state, the citizens of the country have a federal holiday accompanied by a free weekend to be with the family, and to participate in all the events scheduled for this holiday.
Presidents Day 2023
According to AS, States that officially celebrate Presidents’ Day are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee , Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. While Illinois, South Carolina, and Maine, are the three states that celebrate both George Washington’s birthday anniversary and Presidents’ Day.
And, on the other hand, there are those who do not recognize any celebration on this date. Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin do not celebrate Presidents’ Day or Washington’s birthday.
Presidents Day 2023: History
The celebration of Presidents’ Day originates from the birth of the first president of the United States, Commander George Washington, who was born in February 1732. In the Julian calendar, which was used at that time, Washington was born a day 11, but when England and its colonies arrived in the United States, the Gregorian calendar was adopted, moving his birthday to the 22nd.
The Americans then celebrated his birth twice, while he was in office between 1789 and 1797. In 1799, following his death, the celebration gradually lost strength and very few regions dedicated this day to honor his birth. memory and legacy according to Univision.
Washington’s Birthday as a Holiday
One hundred years later, in 1878, Senator Steven Wallace Dorsey, was the proponent of a law before Congress: he proposed Washington’s birthday as a federal holiday, however, it was not until January 1879 that the law achieved the signature of President Rutherford B. Hayes. . In 1880, the holiday was implemented for the first time as a holiday for federal employees, that is, those who worked in Washington DC, and in 1885, the holiday was extended to other federal workers in the other thirty-eight states. who went on to enjoy five federal holidays a year.
It should be noted that later there was another proposal where it was proposed to celebrate former President Abraham Lincoln on this day, but the law was not accepted by Congress at the time.
Despite the refusal, today on Presidents’ Day, the birth and legacy left by this president, who was born on February 12, 1809, is also recognized on the holiday.
Finally, the date of the federal holiday, under the uniform holiday Monday law of 1971, was signed by President Richard Nixon, moving the celebration to February 22 of that same year, and henceforth commemorating Presidents’ Day. in the United States, it normally falls between February 16 and 22, according to El Diario NY.
Presidents Day Proclamation
Getty
In 1868 a holiday was already celebrated to commemorate the birthday of George Washington. However, according to information from BRZ Insurance, In 1968, Congress passed the bill Uniform Monday Holiday, which moved the holiday to the third Monday in February. During the bill’s debate, it was proposed that Washington’s birthday be renamed Presidents’ Day to honor the birthdays of Washington (February 22) and Lincoln (February 12). Although Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated in many states at the time, it was never an official federal holiday.
The bill, following long debates, finally came into effect in 1971, and was finally accepted as the federal holiday for which all United States presidents had a day of tribute. Presidents’ Day became more important when the markets began to promote the day as a day of sales and with great discounts. It should be noted that the holiday varies its name depending on the laws of each state. There are 15 denominations for the festivity. Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Dayy Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthdayor some combination of the names of presidents like Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
The Purple Heart Medal
According to Disabled Veteran National Foundation (DVNF)Washington awarded the first purple medals in 1782, known then as the ‘Badge of Merit’ and awarded to soldiers for their “uniquely meritorious actions”. After the American colonists won their freedom from England, the medal fell out of use until it was brought back in 1932.
A decade later, the purpose of the medal was slightly modified and given the motif known today. Honor those wounded and war dead. The first person to receive this award was General Douglas MacArthur for his service in World War II, according to the DVNF.
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