True story..at least at the federal government level. I set out this fine week before President’s Day to give you some interesting facts about the holiday and the great men behind it. Much to my surprise, I found out that the executive order issued by President Nixon in 1971 defined the third Monday of February as “Washington’s Birthday.” Since then, individual states have decided to celebrate in their own way.
Here in Washington, our President’s Day celebrates the birthdays of both George Washington (2/22) and Abraham Lincoln (2/12). In Connecticut, Missouri and Illinois, Washington’s Birthday is celebrated according to the federal calendar, and Lincoln’s Birthday is observed as a state holiday, always falling on the 12th. In Alabama, the third Monday is called “Washington & Jefferson’s Birthday,” even though Thomas Jefferson wasn’t born until April. Kansas don’t recognize it as a state holiday. If you were a state employee in New Mexico, you would have the day after Thanksgiving off as a “holiday in lieu of Presidents' Day.” Attempts to clarify the date and name have been unsuccessful (is it “Presidents,” “President’s,” or “Presidents’?”) For more information, visit:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/presidents/presidentsday.asp And now, some interesting facts about two of our great presidents!
5 Things You Didn’t Know about George Washington:- He was the only president who did not live in Washington D.C.
- The nation's capital, along with 1 state, 31 counties and 17 cities (Maybe 18 counting the town of "George," in central Washington State) are named in his honor.
- As a farmer, Washington grew marijuana on his farm and promoted its growth. (In the 1790s, the crop was grown mainly for its industrial value as hemp and for soil stabilization. It was many years later that the recreational and illegal use of marijuana became popular.) Also, he is credited with introducing the mule to America. (the animal, not the trafficker)
- He was the only president to win a unanimous vote of the Electoral College.
- Washington's 2nd inaugural address was the shortest ever delivered - 135 words.
Source:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/gwtheman.htm5 Things You Didn’t Know about Abraham Lincoln:- Born in Kentucky in 1809, Abraham Lincoln was the first president born beyond the boundaries of the original 13 states.
- In 1849, Lincoln obtained Patent No. 6,469 on a device that was designed to keep boats afloat when they passed over a sandbar or entered shallow water; to this day, he is the only president to hold a patent.
- A turkey was sent to the White House for a holiday dinner in 1863, and Lincoln's son Tad pleaded that it not be executed. Lincoln issued "an order of reprieve," sparing the turkey's life.
- The Lincoln Bedroom was never a bedroom in Lincoln's time; it was an office where Lincoln met with cabinet members and signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks, was a distant relative of Tom Hanks, making the president and the actor fourth cousins, four times removed.
Source:
http://www.usnews.com/news/history/articles/2009/02/10/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-abraham-lincoln
Dawn and Carrie are at it again, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen in Seattle. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds from the 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. We are very proud of them and their hard work.
