Unify the Name and Date of the George Washington’s Birthday Holiday

“Washington’s Birthday” is the name of a Federal United States holiday intended to honor George Washington as a Revolutionary War military leader, Founding Father and President, but it is mostly not also the name of state holidays, which are usually called “Presidents’ Day” or some similar version, as the holiday is also popularly called. Even if state holidays do include Washington’s name, the names of other honorees are often included. Neither the federal, nor state holidays are ever celebrated on his February 22 birthday. As I post every year, the lack of a unified “Washington’s Birthday” name and date for the holiday on his birthday diminishes the honor for Washington and minimizes the appreciation of his greatness and contributions to America. The references to other Presidents in the names of the holiday particularly draw the focus away from his accomplishments apart from his presidency. The decreased respect for ‘the Father of our Country,” the indispensable man of the American Revolution who was a model citizen and public servant, and increased focus on less worthy honorees reduces American unity. Some States have no holiday corresponding to the federal holiday. Most States have a holiday called “Presidents’ Day,” with various punctuation, corresponding to the federal holiday of “George Washington’s Birthday." Of those which include Washington’s name in their corresponding holiday, some include George Washington’s name alone, but others include other honorees. Some of the States who do honor Washington alone with a holiday celebrate it on other dates throughout the year. “Washington’s Birthday” should be restored as the name of this holiday in States and in popular speech, and it should be celebrated on his birthday of February 22, or at least observed on the Monday closest to it so that it occasionally is celebrated on his birthday. State holidays should have the same name as the federal holiday and honor only George Washington. A unified name and date for the holiday of George Washington’s birthday would unify Americans better, instead of focusing on lesser or divisive figures, encourage education about why Washington is among the greatest leaders in world history and about his influence on America, and inspire Americans to be better citizens.