Presidents’ Day

[David Lockmiller]

Nearly two dozen states officially recognize Presidents’ Day. More than a dozen others do not observe it at all. In Virginia, where Washington was born and lived for much of his life, it is simply known as George Washington Day. Some states, like Illinois, where Lincoln started his political career, and New York, where he delivered a powerful speech that helped launch his presidential campaign in 1860, give Lincoln and Washington their own holiday rather than lump them into one.

Other states chose their own adventure for various reasons.

Missouri celebrates the birthdays of three presidents on three different days — Washington, Lincoln and Harry S. Truman, who was born in Missouri on May 8, 1884. Kentucky has public holidays for the birthdays of Washington; Lincoln; Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy; and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

New York Times
By Remy Tumin
Feb. 19, 2023

Note: A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 20, 2023, Section A, Page 15 of the New York edition with the headline: Washington, Lincoln and Mattress Sales

[Dave B]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

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I had no idea that there are states that don't observe it at all, but that sounds like an interesting though puzzling subject.

[Amy L.]

I'm from Kentucky, and I've never heard of a Jefferson Davis Day.
I think it may be something observed in Alabama.

[David Lockmiller]

(02-21-2023 11:17 AM)Amy L. Wrote:  I'm from Kentucky, and I've never heard of a Jefferson Davis Day.
I think it may be something observed in Alabama.

It's official in Kentucky:

2.110 Public holidays.

(1) The first day of January (New Year's Day), the third Monday of January (Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.),
the nineteenth day of January (Robert E. Lee Day), the thirtieth day of January (Franklin D. Roosevelt Day),
the twelfth day of February (Lincoln's Birthday), the third Monday in February (Washington's Birthday), the last
Monday in May (Memorial Day), the third day of June (Confederate Memorial Day,
and Jefferson Davis Day), the fourth day of July (Independence Day), the first
Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus
Day), the eleventh day of November (Veterans Day), the twenty-fifth day of
December (Christmas Day) of each year, and all days appointed by the President of
the United States or by the Governor as days of thanksgiving, are holidays, on
which all the public offices of this Commonwealth may be closed.

(2) No person shall be compelled to labor on the first Monday in September (Labor
Day) by any person.

Effective: July 14, 1992
History: Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 77, sec. 17, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended
1984 Ky. Acts ch. 88, sec. 1, effective January 1, 1986. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts
ch. 24, sec. 1, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 1,
effective June 21, 1974; and ch. 176, sec. 1, effective June 21, 1974. -- Amended
1970 Ky. Acts ch. 50, sec. 1, effective January 1, 1971. -- Amended 1958 Ky. Acts
ch. 73, sec. 1, effective June 19, 1958. -- Amended 1948 Ky. Acts ch. 73, sec. 1,
effective March 13, 1948. -- Amended 1946 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 1. -- Recodified
1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 2089b
to 2089g, 2089j


Along with Mississippi, Alabama also observes the birthdays of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general, on the same day in January. Both states celebrate Confederate Memorial Day in April and recognize Jefferson Davis’s birthday as a state holiday (Mississippi in May, Alabama in June).

[LincolnMan]

I did not know either that President’s Day is not observed by all the states.

[David Lockmiller]

(02-22-2023 01:49 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I did not know either that President’s Day is not observed by all the states.

It proves the old adage: "Truth is stranger than fiction."

Sometimes what actually happens is more bizarre than anything that could have been imagined. (dictionary.com)

I think FDR and JFK (possibly) should be added to the list of honorees.

[Dave B]

Yes, definitely as to FDR and JFK.

[Amy L.]

Thank you very much for this information, David.
Wiki also mentions that some states had a Lee + M.L.King Day - WOW