Happy President's Day!
Just coming off the high of Valentine's Day, now it is time to plan your planning your big tribute bash to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln today. Perhaps you are baking a birthday cake in honor of these lads.
I know a few of you are enjoying the day off and sleeping in. That would be Mr. Molly Lou, but unfortunately we have two minis and they don't believe in sleeping late and Mr. does not seem to hear them on these days off. Coincidence???
I thought I would give you a few fun and interesting facts about the 1st and 16th presidents of the United States as well as a few "President's Day" facts. These are great to just drop in conversation. People will either think you are really cool with your vast knowledge skills or a total dork. (I know you all are so thrilled you keep me around...the cool factor always goes way up when I am in the crowd.)
*Often depicted wearing a tall black stovepipe hat, Abraham Lincoln carried letters, bills, and notes in his hat.
*Washington liked icecream and in fact had an icecream cooler or two installed in his house when this certainly wasn't the norm (wikipedia claims it was the first ice cream cooler in the colonies...)
*Washington was the first president to be featured on a postage stamp.
*Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president, measuring 6'4".
*Abraham Lincoln had a dream predicting his own death. In that dream, he heard crying in the White House. When he asked the person who had died, he was told it was the president.
*George Washington's second inaugural address was the shortest ever delivered, just 135 words.
*The term "President's Day came around in the 1980's, the term isn't all-inclusive.
*In Massachusetts, they honor all of the presidents that have come from MA: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and John F. Kennedy.
*Alabama uniquely observes the day as "Washington and Jefferson Day", even though Jefferson's birthday was in April.
*In New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, and Missouri, while Washington's Birthday is a federal holiday, Abraham Lincoln's birthday is still a state holiday, falling on February 12 regardless of the day of the week.
*In Washington's home state of VA the holiday is legally known as "George Washington Day."
Now that your head is bursting with more useless knowledge, enjoy your holiday! Happy Monday.
Have a great day!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
It IS amazing how hubbies don't hear kids, isn't it? I just don't get it. Hmmm. Your president facts were quite interesting BTW!
ReplyDeleteWhat, were you a middle-school teacher or something? Where'd you get all this trivia? LOL!
ReplyDeleteHere's another bit of trivia on old George:
ReplyDeleteFor both his positions as Commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and as President, he refused to take a salary as he felt it was his duty to serve his countrymen without pay. He only asked that his expenses be paid. Being a wealthy planter, his expectations and tastes were a bit more extravagant as his expenses were much, much more than the salaries offered!
And yes, I am a US History buff and teach this stuff to my 4th graders!