Why is the ‘father of the nation’s’ birthday so confusing to celebrate?

President George Washington’s birthday is celebrated Monday, Feb. 20 and on that day, all government offices will be closed; and Front Royal trash pickup that week has been pushed from Monday to Wednesday. – Put that on your calendar, townies!

A suave, younger Washington – in his early military days, perhaps not far beyond the era he wandered the Northern Valley as a surveyor, and once according to legend slept overnight under his great coat along what is now Mary’s Shady Ln. waiting for the next ferry across the Shenandoah. Public Domain Photos

No special events have been announced locally, but around the Commonwealth there are some ceremonies honoring veterans, and, of course, Congress will recognize the anniversary of our nation’s first president, even though Feb. 20 is not Washington’s actual birthday (it’s Feb. 22, 1732).

In fact, Presidents’ Day never actually will fall on Feb. 22. The Act of Congress passed in 1971 (the Uniform Monday Holiday Act) means that General George’s real birthday will never be reached. It’s a near miss, but our calendar demands that Washington’s Birthday must be observed between Feb. 15 and Feb. 21 – if that makes any sense to the reader.  If not, blame the Rotary Club of Front Royal’s weekly newsletter which attempts to make all of this very clear in its current issue.

A portrait of Washington, circa the American Revolution.

The newsletter notes that Feb. 22, the real birthday, was originally designated by Congress in 1879, and affected only federal government offices in Washington. It was expanded in 1885 to cover all federal offices, and again amended almost a century later to fall on a Monday as noted above.  It also explains that the day has come to be known by two names, Presidents Day and Washington’s Birthday.  Both are acceptable, with a nod now not only to GW, but ALL those who followed.

So, sit back and enjoy another long weekend, care of your federal government.