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Presidents Day: Is Washington's Legacy Forgotten?
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"...Let those materials be moulded into general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws: and, that we improved to the last; that we remained free to the last; that we revered his name to the last; that, during his long sleep, we permitted no hostile foot to pass over or desecrate his resting place; shall be that which to learn the last trump shall awaken our Washington."
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Presidents Day, as it is now typically called, began as an officially recognized celebration of George Washington’s birthday in 1885. The date's proximity to Lincoln’s birthday soon encouraged advertisers to promote “Presidents Day” sales and offers for the extended weekend. Many lament that the day has lost its true meaning – they argue that it is no longer a day to recognize our first president, but has been overly commercialized, simply an extra vacation day for many citizens:
America’s greatest statesmen did not think that national holidays were merely about family dinners, watching fireworks, or getting a three-day weekend.
These occasions, to the contrary, were needed to encourage all citizens to together raise their gaze above the enthrallment of their private lives, so as to see or imagine something greater than themselves and worthy of their admiration.
— JMC fellow Arthur Milikh on "Why We Should Celebrate Washington's Birthday and Not Presidents Day"
No matter one's view on the day, it presents an opportunity to remember George Washington, born February 22, 1732, and Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809. On the occasion of Presidents Day, click here to see a variety of readings on these two great presidents along with articles on the holiday itself.
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"Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete..."
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"...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 new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
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If you would like to learn more, click here to peruse a collection of works by Jack Miller Center faculty partners and others on Presidents Day, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.
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Will you join us in the effort?
Our impact is expanding. As of this fall, one million students have been taught by a JMC fellow. We need your help to ensure many more young citizens learn about America's history and its founding principles.
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Presidents Day Collection Highlights
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What Made Lincoln Great
In 2009, renowned Lincoln scholar and JMC faculty partner Allen Guelzo sat down with the Jack Miller Center’s Dr. Michael Andrews to discuss why Lincoln is considered one of our nation’s greatest presidents.
Watch the entire video series on YouTube >>
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About the Jack Miller Center
The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.
We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.
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