George Washington, Revolutionary War General, First President of the United States under the Constitution, and often called "The Father of our Country", was born 278 years ago today. But what a lot of people don't know, is that February 22 was not the original date. Washington was actually born on February 11, 1731. In 1752, Great Britain and its colonies, including those along the Atlantic seaboard of North America, moved from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. That shifted dates by 11 days, and thus moving Washington's birthday to February 22.
When I was a child in school, we had holidays on February 12 for Lincoln's birthday, and again on February 22 for Washington's birthday. Then the Uniform Holiday Bill of 1968 came along and moved several holidays, including Washington's birthday, to designated Mondays rather than fixed dates. Although there was a proposal to rename the holiday, "Presidents Day", that part didn't happen. Despite common thought, the day is still officially in celebration of Washington's Birthday.
So even though President Washington's birthday has moved around a lot and we celebrate it on the third Monday of February, today's date will always be the one fixed in my mind.
Read more about George Washington's birthday from the National Archives by CLICKING HERE.
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