Randi Rhodes: Happy President`s Day!

“Washington’s Birthday” was first observed as a federal holiday in 1880 and was limited to Washington DC government offices. It was expanded to include all federal offices in 1885 and was celebrated on the anniversary of President Washington’s actual birthday (Feb. 22, 1732) until 1971, when the observation date was changed to the third Monday in February – ironically decreeing that the holiday would never again be celebrated on Washington’s birthday.

The official name of the federal holiday under law is still Washington’s Birthday, however because over the years several states wished to make the annual observance more inclusive of other past presidents, the more generic “Presidents’ Day” designation has taken hold in the lexicon (and in car dealership sale flyers).

George Washington died over 211 years ago, but not a day has passed without someone using some narrow part of his legacy to justify his or her own present-day political agenda. So, I will not bother piling on – instead I will use this space to share a few of President Washington’s own words…

“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.”
Letter to Benedict Arnold – Sept. 14, 1775

“Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.”
Letter to Lord Stirling – Mar. 5, 1780

“It may be laid down, as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every citizen who enjoys the protection of a free government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it…”
Letter to Alexander Hamilton – May 2, 1783

“Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.”
Letter to Marquis de Lafayette – July 25, 1785

“My first wish is, to see this plague of mankind banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in more pleasing and innocent amusements, than in preparing implements, and exercising them, for the destruction of mankind.”
1785 statement on war

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
Letter to niece, Harriet Washington – Oct. 30, 1791

“We have abundant reason to rejoice, that, in this land, the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened age, and in this land of equal liberty, it is our boast, that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest offices that are known in the United States.”
Letter to the members of The New Church in Baltimore – Jan. 22, 1793

“Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere!”
Note to his gardener at Mount Vernon – 1794

“When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.”
Letter to Edmund Pendleton – Jan. 22, 1795

“Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.”
The Farewell Address – Sept. 17, 1796

Happy birthday, Mr. President!