Monday will be Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday created in 1880 as Washington’s Birthday. George Washington was born February 22, 1732. Over time, that holiday was combined with the observance of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February. Most federal holidays are observed on Monday or Friday to allow a three-day weekend.
Abraham Lincoln, who just celebrated his 200th birthday, was born February 12, 1809. A hero of President Obama, the White House celebrated Lincoln’s birthday with a speech by the President and re-opening the renovated Ford’s Theatre, where President Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.
The White House’s new website includes a slideshow of U.S. Presidents with links to their biographies.
In Massachusetts, you can visit President John F. Kennedy’s birthplace, the Kennedy library, and several sites in Quincy related to Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.
Many businesses also have good sales on this day, especially car dealers. Perhaps you’ll find some good bargains at one of the many stores in Coolidge Corner. This Brookline neighborhood, which includes President Kennedy‘s birthplace, shares a name with another president with Massachusetts ties, President Calvin Coolidge, although it was not named after him.
