Monday, February 19, 2007

President's Day..aka Washington's Birthday

Feb, 19, 2007. Not sure if you know but today although called President's Day is officially Washington's Birthday, sort of.

George was born Feb 22, 1732 according to the calendar used since mid-18th century. By the 19th century Americans were celebrating his birthday as a National Holiday. They used to give big parties and have speech's from prominent figures.

Then President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and his birthday was officially celebrated the following year, who was also born Feb. 12th. Although, at first Lincoln's birthday did not become a Federal holiday like Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in certain states.

So in 1968, legislation (HR 15951) was enacted that affected several federal holidays. Washington's Birthday, was shifted to the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This started in 1971 (my birthday year), was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays and give federal employees some standard three-day weekends in the process (imagine that).

Apparently, the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday, it has become popularly known as "President's Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.

OK, I really didn't know all that, had some help looking it up. But nice to know why your off today if you are.

On to training. I got my 850y swim in this morning with an upper body workout. Then got home and fought with the damn lawn mower to get it started. Mowed my grass which has now caused my back to become sore. So I will give it a couple hours rest and then jump on the bike trainer.

I did not make it to the TriVillage triathlon seminar on transition, I was lazy and over slept the time, hey come on, that thing was at 8am! And if I'm not out training that early, I'm sleeping, Who's with me on that one?

C-ya all later. .have a great afternoon and evening!

rockon`

4 comments:

Allez said...

I wish I had the day off! Get this...I get MLK day off, but not Good Friday. I think that's totally wrong!

Andra Sue said...

Woo hoo! I was off today. Lots of fun unpacking boxes and moving junk around. Hey, wait...that feels kinda like work! Hope your back feels better. :)

Steven said...

I like having Prez's Day off. Most stores are open so you can go get things done if needed!

Also - 8AM? You guys sleep late in Texas, huh??

momo said...

happy belated prez's day! ha! i slept till 9:00 on sunday morning, can ya believe it? i rode with some friends on saturday - my first 4 hour ride since imfl and it was windy and hilly and i was working through the kinks of my new bike fit. went to bed at 9:30 and woke up at 9!! can't tell you the last time that happened. so i have an hour on you! ;-)