[This post first appeared on February 15, 2016.]
Is It Really “Presidents Day?”
Most of our calendars and the advertisements from retail stores and automobile dealers tell us that today, the third Monday in February, is “Presidents Day.” This seemingly amalgamated holiday succeeded the separate designation of the birthday anniversaries of George Washington (February 22nd) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12th by offering another three-day weekend to federal employees and others who officially celebrate the day. In fact, the third Monday in February is officially designated "Washington's Birthday" by 5 U.S.C. § 6103. In O.R.C. § 124.19 the State of Ohio declares the third Monday in February a state holiday without giving it a title. As one might expect of the birthplace of Lincoln, the Commonwealth of Kentucky declares that February 12th is still the public holiday of Lincoln’s Birthday and the third Monday in February is Washington’s Birthday, per K.R.S. § 2.110. Whatever the holiday’s name, we advise you to take the opportunities to celebrate accordingly, and to start by visiting the library’s display, “Spotlight on Presidential Power” this week!