President's Day

FEBRUARY 19, 2007.-

The 3rd. Monday of each February, the United States celebrates President's Day. The festivity started in 1796 in honor of General George Washington (during the last year of his presidency). By early 19th century, "Washington's Birthday" was a National Holiday celebrated through out the country. Years later, another distinguish and dear figure in American politics appeared in scene: Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln conducted the nation thru the difficult times of the Civil War, but was assasinated in 1864. Both, he and Washington had been born in the month of February, and their Birthdays continued to be celebrated each year, although "Lincoln's Birthday" was not recognized as a National Holiday.

In 1971, president Richard M. Nixon proclaimed a single National Holiday to remember all past Presidents of the United States, to be celebrated on the third Monday of each February.

Links of Interest:

• Abraham Lincoln's Papers/ Library of Congress

• Día de los Presidentes/ Biblioteca Benjamín Franklin, México D.F.

• George Washington's Papers/ Library of Congress

• Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies/ Library of Congress

• The Presidents of the United States/ The White House

• The Thomas Jefferson Papers/ Library of Congress