Carol Fisher-Linn
Celebrating the first POTUS for whom the holiday was created….
Every year, in February, we take a day off to honor our presidents. “President’s Day” as we know it began when two Historically significant presidential birthdays were too close together (Lincoln-12th and Washington-22nd) messing up schedules for schools and employers. Before that, it was simply George Washington’s Birthday, as decreed by President Abraham Lincoln.
George Washington was the only President of the United States who was voted into the office unanimously… twice!. There are many reasons for his face on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota along with presidents Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt. In brief, Washington represented the nation’s founding, Jefferson expanded America with the 1803 Louisiana Purchase – 828,000 square miles for $15 million, the price of a yacht today. Roosevelt represented the country’s development, prioritizing conservation and establishing national parks. Lincoln was honored for the preservation of the Union.
Theodore Roosevelt (26) the youngest POTUS at 42 often visited friends in the Village of Cattaraugus and cities of Olean and Jamestown and planted a tree in Olean’s Lincoln Park with Governor Higgins in 1906 (recently removed with wood salvaged for a future memorial).
While living alternatively in NYC and Philadelphia, President Washington personally overlooked the building of what he once termed “the seat of Empire.” He chose the location of the White House and the Capital Building and continued his involvement until the White house was completed in 1800, with John Adams being the first President to reside in it.
Washington formalized Thanksgiving on November 26 as a national holiday. He marked the day by attending services at St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, and subsequently donating beer and food to imprisoned debtors in the city. Thanksgiving’s date was changed several times and finally landed on the fourth Thursday in November when Congress changed it. It was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941 … to extend the holiday shopping season.
From MountVernon.org, we find that “since 1896, the United States Senate has commemorated Washington’s birthday with an annual reading of his Farewell Address, all 7,641 words [much longer than his 135-word second inaugural address], by a selected sitting senator.” This address is one of the most celebrated documents in American History.
Presidents are real people, too, with odd or interesting stories about them just like you and me. Washington (1) did not have wooden teeth. He successfully brewed alcohol after his time as president. He also bred dogs naming them things like “Sweet Lips” and “Drunkard.” James Madison (4) was the shortest at 5’4” weighing in about 100 pounds. You’ve read the book Amistad? Retired John Quincy Adams (6) argued the Supreme Court case that freed the captive Africans on board. Feisty Andrew Jackson (7) killed a man in a duel. Martin Van Buren (8) was the first American-born POTUS. WH Harrision (9) served 32 days. John Tyler (10) fathered 15 kids! Millard Fillmore (13) contributed greatly to the growth of Buffalo where he lived and is now buried at Forest Lawn. Lincoln (16) was the tallest at 6’4” likely due to Marfan Syndrome. U.S. Grant (18) was a close friend of one-time Ellicottville resident Eli Parker. James Garfield, (20) was great (x3) grandfather to Tom Garfield who is our own Jenna Rogan’s husband. To learn more about Garfield, Jenna’s son, John, has a book at Barnes and Noble, “The People’s Congressman, James Garfield.” Grover Cleveland, (22) built his political career in Buffalo serving as Sheriff of Erie County, Mayor of Buffalo, Governor on NY, and finally POTUS. William McKinley (25) was assassinated at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo and died in Buffalo days later. Theodore Roosevelt (26) the youngest POTUS at 42 often visited friends in the Village of Cattaraugus and cities of Olean and Jamestown and planted a tree in Olean’s Lincoln Park with Governor Higgins in 1906 (recently removed with wood salvaged for a future memorial). Herbert Hoover (31) was first president to hail from west of the Mississippi. Franklin Roosevelt (32) longest serving POTUS frequently used Buffalo as a major stop for campaigning. John Kennedy (35) was a journalist near the end of WWII. Lyndon Johnson (36) was a schoolteacher. Richard Nixon (37) was a skilled poker player – or was he? Jimmy Carter (39) was a peanut farmer before and after his presidency. Bill Clinton (42) played the saxophone. George W. Bush (43) went from oil to oil painting in retirement. Barack Obama (44) along with his wife, Michelle, each won Grammy awards. Donald Trump (45-47) was a reality show host. Joe Biden (46) was the only president in history to see job creation every single month of his term (about 336,000).
Want to learn more about each POTUS? Start here: https://www.thebostonadvisor.com/best-presidential-biographies/