It’s Presidents Day. Why do we have this holiday? I feel compelled to remind everybody of the significance of this holiday. Unlike July 4th, nobody’s having a barbecue or a family celebration. Nobody’s going to church or temple or mosque to commemorate. There’s no parade. There’s no festival, block party, race, street fair. It’s February after all.

Today is a day off from school,[and part of a week off public school] and work — if you work in a government office or financial institution, or school. Most people are working today. There are door-busting sales, so that the retail industry can stock up for spring. There are no street-cleaning, aka alternate-side, parking restrictions. For union workers and/or civil servants, there is probably a wage-premium today– double-time, time-and-a-half, or more.

But let’s remind ourself that the holiday is PRESIDENTS DAY. At one time we had February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday and February 22 for Washington’s Birthday. Some decades ago, the two days were merged into whatever Monday fell between the two. Do we know who George and Abe were, and why we celebrate them? Neither George Washington nor Abraham Lincoln could ever have imagined a black man or a woman voting, let alone running, for President. Yet, without their visions, this wouldn’t have happened. And that is the true meaning of today.

Related posts:

1. Working on President’s Day
2. Bushlock once more
3. Graduation Season
4. Haunted by our Forefathers
5. This American Life - Live