Happy George Washington’s Birthday to You!
Although the United States officially commemorates George Washington’s birthday on President’s Day (this year, February 16), his actually birthday is today, February 22.
To commemorate the day, I wanted to re-share a podcast episode I recorded a few months ago with Dr. Abbi Smithmyer. Abbi’s dissertation focused on the ways in which both the North and the South tried to lay claim to Washington’s memory and legacy as a way to offer legitimacy to their own cause.
I hope you enjoy the episode!
ECW Podcast: George Washington and the Civil War (with Abbi Smithmyer)
There is no President’s Day “holiday”
The enabling legislation clearly designates the day as Washington’s Birthday.
Indeed, it does. And yet common usage lists the holiday as “Presidents Day.” There was a lot of good stuff about this on social media on Monday, including a couple good pieces by the NPS.