Today is the day our first and arguably greatest president, George Washington, was born. It’s actually a bit more complicated than that since the very calendar itself was changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar during Washington’s time, but that’s another story.
February 22 remains the official memorial day for the Father of Our Country, but almost no one knows it.
Thanks to Congress following the wishes of the retail industry and employers who found a floating midweek holiday too much of a bother, we have managed to create the so-called Presidents Day. It was celebrated last Monday, the third Monday in February.
The American people have passively accepted the change, ignored the distinction and agree that a weekend-attached holiday is more convenient. Still, the disappearance of Washington’s name is a loss and an insult to his memory. It’s one more example of why young Americans have lost touch with their history . . . not to mention a school establishment that gives short shrift to the teaching of history.
How we got to this spot is mildly interesting, but Congress tried a decade ago to do the right thing and officially designate the third Monday in February as “Washington’s Birthday” rather than the ambagious and bland “President’s Day.” The bill amazingly died in committee.
Is the holiday really about Mailliard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland, Jimmy Carter or even George W. Bush? No, it’s about Washington.
Congress should now pass legislation officially observing the third Monday in February as Washington’s Birthday. If there ever was a bipartisan bill, this is it.
Leo ni siku ambayo Rais wetu wa kwanza na wa kwanza, George Washington, alizaliwa. Kwa kweli ni ngumu zaidi kuliko hiyo tangu kalenda yenyewe ilibadilishwa kutoka kwa kalenda ya Julian hadi kalenda ya Gregorian wakati wa wakati wa Washington, lakini hiyo ni hadithi nyingine. Siku ya 22 Februari ni siku ya kumbukumbu ya baba wa nchi yetu, lakini hakuna mtu anayeijua. "Kwa sababu ya Congress kufuata matakwa ya sekta ya rejareja na waajiri ambao walipata likizo ya katikati ya wiki ""kuelea"" ni shida sana, tumeweza kuunda siku inayoitwa ""Siku ya Rais.""" Ilikuwa ikisherehekewa Jumatatu iliyopita, Jumatatu ya tatu ya Februari. Wamarekani wamekubali mabadiliko hayo, wakipuuza tofauti hiyo na kukubali kwamba likizo iliyounganishwa na mwishoni mwa wiki ni rahisi zaidi. Hata hivyo, kutoweka kwa jina la Washington ni hasara na aibu kwa kumbukumbu yake. Ni mfano mwingine wa kwa nini vijana wa Marekani wamepoteza kuwasiliana na historia yao. . . Bila kutajwa taasisi ya shule ambayo inatoa shortsighted kwa mafundisho ya historia. "Kama tulivyofika hapa ni jambo la kuvutia kidogo, lakini Congress ilijaribu miaka kumi iliyopita kufanya kitu sahihi na rasmi kuashiria Jumatatu ya tatu ya Februari kama ""siku ya kuzaliwa ya Washington"" badala ya ""siku ya rais"" isiyo na maana na isiyo na maana." Je, ni kweli kwamba sikukuu hiyo inahusu Mailliard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland, Jimmy Carter au hata George W. Bush? La, ni kuhusu Washington. Bunge sasa linapaswa kupitisha sheria rasmi ya kuadhimisha Jumatatu ya tatu mwezi Februari kama Siku ya Kuzaliwa ya Washington. Kama kuna wakati wowote kulikuwa na muswada wa vyama vyote viwili, huu ndio.