[Mike AI]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Feb 17 2004, 11:55 AM
"Until 1968, both February 12 and February 22 were observed as public holidays to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and George Washington (February 22).

"The Uniforms Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays- - Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would help the economy.

"In 1971 President Richard Nixon proclaimed one single federal public holiday, the Presidents' Day, to be observed on the 3rd Monday of February, honoring all past presidents of the United States of America. "

Now, interestingly enough, you Google around and you'll find that a lot of people have their panties in a knot over the issue of President's Day. Some of the debate centers on whether Nixon's proclamation in '71 actually changed the name of the holiday; apparently, in 2000 Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-MD) sponsored H.R. 1363 to force federal agencies to refer to the Washington holiday by its proper name (no word on whether there is a movement for a Constitutional ammendment on this issue - yet).

I don't dispute that Washington is "deserving" of a holiday; but when you get right down to it ... Lincoln deserves his own day every bit as much as Washington. Were it not for Lincoln, that which Washington "fathered" would have been a brief footnote in history.

Hey PD, you know that Lincoln was a Republican right?

Just making sure you knew since you have said nice things about him!

:P