On This Day in 1879: GW Birthday Goes on Book
On January 31, 1879 Congress made a federal holiday out of a day that Americans had already been celebrating for quite a while: George Washington’s birthday.
Washington’s special day had already been commemorated in a number of ways; on its centennial celebrations occurred throughout the nation and Congress established a joint committee to organize festivities.
In 1862 both houses of Congress began inviting other prominent members of the government to a reading of Washington’s Farewell Address. It’s a tradition that is still carried out by the Senate today.
Only in 1968 did Congress passed a bill shifting the day of celebration from Washington’s actual birthday, February 22, to the third Monday of the month. The purpose of the Monday Holiday Law, which also shifted other holidays, was to “provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays.”
Because the third holiday in February never occurs after Feb. 21, Washington’s federally celebrated birthday is now guaranteed to never be celebrated on his actual day of birth.
Photo and information courtesy of the National Archives.
February 1st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Perfect posting, We are viewing back again regularly to look around for fresh news.
April 14th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
why did they change the date of the holiday it a makes no sense at all why they would do that. if there is a reason can you tell me why.