P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY

12F E D E R A L H O L I D AY STHIS UNIT COMBINES two birthdays:in February is the day on which Americans are reGeorge Washington’s and Abraham Linminded of the influence of both George Washington
coln’s. The federal holiday is formallyand Abraham Lincoln on the growth and history ofcalled “Washington’s Birthday” and is celebrated on thethe nation. As a legal holiday, federal and many state
third Monday in February. However, we have titled thisand local government offices are closed.
unit “Presidents’ Day” since a common practice is to
The two following sections discuss the lives and legacelebrate the birthdays of both prescies of George Washington, the first
idents on this day. Some people, inpresident of the United States, andfact, think the day celebrates all the
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth
American presidents.
president of the United States.
The birthday of George Washington has been a legal federal holiGeorge Washington’s
day since 1885, and was originallyBirthdaycelebrated on February 22. There
George Washington, the firstwas no federal holiday for Abrapresident of the United States of
ham Lincoln, but many individual
America, is often referred to as thestates celebrated Lincoln’s birthday“Father of Our Country.” Born
on February 12. In some states, both
February 22, 1732, in Virginia, he
February 12 and February 22 were
grew to be a natural leader—instrudeclared holidays to commemorate
mental in winning American indethe two presidents.
pendence from Britain in the RevoIn 1968 Congress passed thelutionary War and creating a united
Uniform Holidays Act that fixednation out of a conglomeration of
Monday as the official day to observe legal federal holistruggling colonies and territories.
days, including Washington’s Birthday. At this time, since
As a boy, George helped manage his parents’ planmany people assumed that the new date was meant totation in Ferry Farm, Virginia. He observed the plancombine the two presidents’ birthdays, media sources
tation’s black slaves at work, and learned about plantand advertisers began calling the day “Presidents’ Day.”ing and crops. George attended school for only 7 or 8
Now, printed calendars and dateyears, and was especially interestbooks indicate the day as “Presied in math. His father wanted to
PREVIOUS PAGE: Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in Southdents’ Day,” and retail stores hold Dakota features the colossal portraits of four presidents send him to England for more educarved from granite: George Washington, Thomas
huge “Presidents’ Day Sales.”cation, but when George was elevJefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Despite the confusion surround- ABOVE: The White House has been the official home of en, his father died, and George
ing the holiday, the third Monday American presidents since the year 1800.
was unable to continue his studies.

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

13

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AYthe Continental Army. On July 4, 1776, the ContinenHis interest in military life began early. At fourteen hetal Congress signed the Declaration of Independence,longed to join the British Royal Navy, but his motherclaiming America’s freedom from British rule, but itwould not give him permission. He then became interwould be seven more years before that independence
ested in surveying, a profession in which he could apply
was won.
his math skills and explore the frontier as he mapped
Washington led the inexperienced troops of theout new settlements. Over the next five years he became
Continental Army against the British forces duringa master surveyor, laying the plans for many new towns
the harsh years of war, until the colonists prevailed
and farms. By 1750 he had also acquired over 1,000
and won their independence in 1783. History books
acres of land for himself.
recount the hardships of freezing winters, lack of
Shortly after his twentieth birthday, Washington
food, discouragement, and desertions during thosebegan serving in the army of King George III of Engyears of war. They describe Washington’s strong leadland, who ruled over the thirteen colonies and much ofership and determination that were instrumental in
the surrounding territories. By twenty-two Washingthe eventual victory.
ton was a lieutenant colonel and was put in command
In 1786, Washington was elected president of theof a troop of soldiers who fought against the French inConstitutional Convention, a meeting of representathe French and Indian War.
tives from each state to draft a constitution for the
While serving under the King, Washington grew
new nation. Laws written into the Constitution called
resentful of the unfair treatment of colonial soldiers
for a President, and George Washington was considand officers, who received lower pay and poorer supered the natural choice. He was elected, and thoughplies and training than regular British troops. When
Washington was reluctant, he agreed to serve his counthe King lowered the ranks of all colonial officers,
try as the first President of the United States. On April
Washington resigned in anger. Later he rejoined to30, 1789, at the age of 57, Washington was sworn into
learn military tactics from a renowned general.
office. He moved from Mount Vernon in Virginia to
At the end of the French and Indian War, WashNew York City, then the capital of the United States.
ington returned to Virginia and spent many years as a
The trip took a week by horse and carriage. All along
farmer, businessman, and Virginia legislator. In 1759
the way, people waited eagerly to glimpse the Revoluhe married Martha Dandridge Custis, a widow withtionary War general and their first President.
two children.
Washington accepted two terms as president, but
By the late 1760s, many colonists began to want
their freedom, and to live under their own rule, notturned down a third term wishing only to retire to his
under the rule of a faraway king and a British militia.
beautiful family home, Mount Vernon. By the time
They felt that the taxes, laws, and punishments that
Washington left office, there were 16 states in the Union,
the King imposed on them were unfair. In 1773, a loand the U.S. Capitol building was being constructed incal rebellion against high taxes, called the Boston Tea
the newly established District of Columbia.
Party, helped to spark the American Revolution. In
During his later years, Washington remained acthis rebellion, colonists raided British ships in Boston
tive in politics, and he died on December 14, 1799.
Harbor and tossed the cargo of tea into the water.
His memory is evident in the multitude of places in the
When the British closed Boston Harbor as punishUnited States that bear his name, including the Unitedment, Washington spoke out vehemently.
States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
In 1774, Washington attended the first ContinenWhile Washington was alive, legends grew up about
tal Congress where he and other representatives aphim. One legend says that he was so strong, that heproved a trade boycott of all British goods. Britain
could throw a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
tightened its control over the coloSome Americans argue that thisnies, and in 1775 the Revolutioncould be a true story, because parts
OPPOSITE PAGE: George Washington, as Commander inary War began. Washington was Chief of the Continental Army in 1775. led the inexpe- of the Potomac River, they say,elected Commander in Chief of rienced troops against the British forces.
were extremely narrow a few hunP R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY

14

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

15

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY

beginnings could reach the pinnacle of society as president of the country.
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809,
in Kentucky, and spent the first seven years of his life
there. Abe’s family, like many on the frontier, lived ina log cabin, and Abe’s father worked hard as a farmer
and carpenter to support his family. Abe and his sister
were often occupied with household chores, but when
they were free they attended a log schoolhouse.
In 1816, the family left Kentucky for Indiana, astate in the Midwest. The United States at this time wasstill young, and the Midwest
was a wild frontier. Indiana
offered new opportunities
and differed from Kentucky
in many ways. One importantdifference for Abe’s father
was that Indiana was a statethat did not allow slavery.
Abe’s father was opposed toslavery, and instilled the same
beliefs in his children.
Abe and his family settled
in a forest, in Spencer County,
Indiana. Neighbors were few
and far away. Eventually, Abe’s
father cleared enough land tobuild a log cabin. He and Abecleared the woods for farmland, and Abe became soskilled at splitting logs that
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
neighbors settling into the territory paid him to split their
Of all the presidents in the history of the Unitedlogs. Drawings and other depictions of Lincoln as a young
States, Abraham Lincoln is probably the one thatman often show him splitting logs in a wooded setting.
Americans remember with deepest affection. His childDuring his life, Abe had less than one year of formal
hood experiences set the course for his character andschooling. This lack of education only made him hungry
motivation later in life. He brought a new level of honfor more knowledge. His mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln,esty and integrity to the White House, living up to his
influenced him in his quest for learning. Although shenickname, “Honest Abe.” Most of all, he is associated
was uneducated and could not read or write, she encourwith the final abolition of slavery,
aged her children to study by themwith his Emancipation Proclama- ABOVE: Young Abraham Lincoln became skilled at split- selves. Later, after his mother diedtion. Lincoln became a virtual sym- ting logs, often used for houses, fences, and heating.
and his father remarried, Abe’s stepbol of the American dream where- OPPOSITE PAGE: Lincoln is best known for his Emancipation mother was also instrumental in enProclamation, issued January 1, 1863, that changed theby an ordinary person from humble character of the Civil War.
couraging him to read. Abe would

dred years ago! Another story tells of a time when
George Washington was young, and his father gave
him a hatchet. Presumably, George tried to cut down acherry tree with it. His father noticed the cuts on thetree, and asked his son how they got there. “I cannot
tell a lie,” George confessed. “I did it with my hatchet.” This story has never been proven, but Americans
pass it down to their children as a lesson in honesty.
George Washington came to represent honesty, andcherry pies have become a favorite food associatedwith his birthday holiday.
Americans began celebrating Washington’s birthday from the time of the Revolutionary War. They weregrateful for a strong leader
who had proven that democracy was a feasible way togovern the growing country.
Today, some communities observe the holiday by staging
pageants and reenactments ofimportant milestones in Washington’s life. Also, the holiday
has taken on a commercial
side. Many shopping malls
and stores run Presidents’Day sales to attract shoppers
who have the day off fromwork or school.

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY

16

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

17

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AYnent, the Democratic nominee, to a series of debates inwhich he argued the moral evil of slavery. With thesimple language that he used to communicate withpeople all his life, he defeated his opponent in the debates, but lost the election.
However, the debates had made Lincoln a national figure, and in 1860, he was nominated by the Republican Party as its candidate for the Presidency of
the United States. Lincoln won the election with a majority of the electoral votes—all from the north. But
with this election, the country began the process of“dividing against itself.” South Carolina, a strong
slave state, had already seceded from the Union. Other slave states followed to form the Confederate Statesof America. The North and South were divided, andthe Civil War began. The war was not only about theabolition of slavery, but also the right of individualstates to make their own laws on other key issues.
As the nation was approaching the third year of
the war, on January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued
the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that all
persons who had been slaves within the southern states
were free. Though this Proclamation was limited inthat it only applied to states that had seceded from theUnion, it transformed the focus of the war. From thenon, the march from the North was equated with an
expansion of freedom.
The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania in 1863
was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War, and the largest battle ever fought on American soil. On November
19, 1863, a ceremony was held to dedicate the Gettysburg battlefield as a national monument. At that ceremony Lincoln delivered what was to become one of
the finest speeches in American history, the Gettysburg
Address. After Lincoln’s short speech there was a polite, but reserved applause. The main speaker of the
day was Edward Everett, ex-governor of Massachusetts, who delivered a two-hour oration. As the two
speakers returned to Washington together, Lincoln expressed disappointment in his own presentation. “I
was a flat failure,” he said of his speech. “I ought tohave prepared it with more care.” But Everett reassured him, saying, “I would be glad if…I came near tothe central idea of the occasion in two hours as you
did in two minutes.”even travel to neighboring farms and counties to borrowbooks. Legend claims that he was often found reading
next to a pile of logs that he should have been splitting.
Even as a boy Lincoln showed skill as a speaker.
He noticed that people loved to listen to stories, and hebegan telling tall tales in the general store where people
often gathered.
In 1830 the family moved again, this time to Illinois.
Lincoln began working in a store in the capital of Springfield. His powers of speech soon helped him enter a new
arena, that of politics and law. In 1834 he was elected
into the Illinois State Legislature, and began studying tobecome a lawyer. There were few law schools in thosedays, so Lincoln studied law from books that he borrowed from an attorney. He received his license to practice law in 1836. In 1839, he met his future wife Mary
Todd. After a long courtship, they married in November
1842, and eventually had four boys.
Lincoln practiced law all across the state, travelingfar on horseback and by buggy to different counties.
He became well known during this time for his ability
to argue a strong convincing case and for his honesty.
These experiences eventually led him down the road tobecome the sixteenth president of the United States.
In 1847 he was elected into Congress, but his criticism of then President Polk made him unpopular, andhe did not run for a second term.
He returned to his law practice, but continued topresent his views publicly. He was vehemently against
slavery and took stands on other controversial issues.
Within a few years, slavery had become a stronger
issue and more people were willing to abolish it. Lincoln joined the Republicans, a new political party thatwas opposed to slavery. The Republicans nominatedhim for the U.S. Senate in 1858, and in his acceptancespeech, he stated:
A house divided against itself cannot stand...
This government cannot endure, permanently half-slave and half-free... I do not
expect the Union to be dissolved. I do not
expect the house to fall—but I do expect itwill cease to be divided.
Abraham Lincoln’s oratorical powers brought him
to the attention of the nation. He challenged his oppoP R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY18

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESSNOVEMBER 19, 1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived
and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to
dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation may live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—thisground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor
power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here but it cannever forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinishedwork, which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased
devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation under God shall have a newbirth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish
from the earth.

Glossary (George Washington’s Birthday)federal: adj. of or relating to the national government,
for example, a federal holiday is a holiday declared by
the national government
legacy(ies): n. the good works that a person or group
did that survive long after the person or group has left
instrumental: adj. influential; very important
conglomeration: n. a mixture or collection of dissimilar thingscolony(ies): n. a group of people living in a new territory
with strong ties or links to their parent country; the linkis usually at the level of the government
territory(ies): n. a geographic area or subdivision ofland that is under the jurisdiction or rule of a government, but is not a full part of that government’s country,e.g., Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S.
plantation: n. a farm or estate on which crops such as
tobacco or sugar are cultivated by resident laborers
surveying: n. a field of work that involves measuringand mapping land

On April 9, 1865, the South surrendered, and the
Civil War ended. The Union army soldiers spread theword of the war’s end and of Lincoln’s Emancipation
Proclamation. (See Juneteenth, page 93) The difficult
task of national reconstruction and reconciliation lay
ahead, but Lincoln would not be the person to lead thecountry through this difficult period.
On April 14, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln were attending a play at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. An
actor, John Wilkes Booth, who disagreed with Lincoln’s political opinions, stepped into the presidential box and shot the President. Lincoln died the following morning.
Quotation from Lincoln“...As I would not be a slave, so I would not be amaster. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference,is no democracy.”
Letter, August 1858
F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

19

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AYfrontier: n. wilderness; unsettled, open lands
settlement(s): n. a village or town where people haveestablished a new community
rank(s): n. position or level within the military, e.g.
general; captain; sergeantresign(ed): v. to quit a job or position
tactic(s): n. strategy; planned method
renown(ed): adj. well-known; famous
widow: n. a woman whose husband has died
impose(d): v. to place on, such as a rule or law
rebellion: n. opposition to authority; revolution
spark: v. to cause to set in motion; suddenlyraid(ed): v. to attack suddenly and without warning
vehement(ly): adv. strongly, with anger
boycott: n. a refusal to buy or use certain goods orservices as an action of protest
prevail(ed): v. to triumph; to be victorious
desertion(s): n. abandonment; leaving a responsibility,
often without warning or permission
reluctant: adj. not willing; hesitantswear into: v. phrase. to take an oath before beginning
an official position; be inaugurated
glimpse: v. to see briefly
Union: n. refers to the United States
multitude: n. a large number of; many
hatchet: n. a tool to cut wood
presumably: adv. assumption or belief that somethingis true
confess(ed): v. to tell or admit wrong doing
feasible: adj. possible; workable; practical
pageant(s): n. parades and plays for a special event
reenactment(s): n. performance of historical events
milestone(s): n. significant event in history or a person’s life

virtual: adj. true
pinnacle: n. highest point
chore(s): n. regular or daily work, usually in a household or on a farm
log schoolhouse: n. phrase. a one-room school madeof wooden logs (cut and cleaned tree trunks)
instill(ed): v. to give an idea or principle by example orteaching
split(ting) logs: v. phrase. to divide a log or length oftree trunk lengthwisequest: n. a search
instrumental: adj. influential; very importantlegend: n. a popular myth or story about someone orsome event in the past; not verifiable
tall tale(s): n. a story that is untrue or exaggerated
legislature: n. an organized body of the government
with the authority to make laws
courtship: n. the act of dating, or actions to attract amate for marriage or union
criticism: n. the act of making a comment (written ororal) of evaluation, usually negativevehemently: adv. strongly, with anger
controversial: adj. causing disagreement
abolish: v. to end, stop, finish
issue(s): n. a topic or matter of discussion
dissolve(d): v. to break apartoratorical: adj. speaking; having to do with public
speaking
nominee: n. a person who has been proposed for officeelectoral vote(s): n. votes from the Electoral College
which elects the President and Vice President of the U.S.
Each state appoints as many electors as it has senatorsand representatives in Congress; the District of Columbia has three votes. Though pledged to vote for theirstate’s winners, electors are not constitutionally obliged
Glossary (Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday)
to do so. A candidate must win more than 50% of theaffection: n. fondness; a deep, warm, good feelingvotes to win the election. (from the online Encyclopemotivation: n. incentive; something that pushes you
dia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/ebc/articletoward a goal
9363529)
integrity: n. correct morals and behavior
secede(d): v. to withdraw from an organization or groupabolition: n. an ending or termination of, by law
oration: n. speech
Emancipation Proclamation: n. thereconstruction: n. rebuilding
government document that officialreconciliation: n. forgiveness;ly proclaimed or stated American OPPOSITE PAGE: Presidents’ Day celebrates the birthdays settling a problem
of George Washington (February 22) and Abrahamslaves to be free
Lincoln (February 12).

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY

20F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

F E D E R A L H O L I D AY S

21

P R E S I D E N T S ’ D AY