How Many Presidents in a Holiday?
by Gordon HurdFeb 18, 2007
The current president is braising in a stew of public disapproval, but our great American melting pot loves great presidents of the past. Just the other day a congressional orator invoked the spirit of Abraham Lincoln (+45%). Even though the quote never came from the man who many consider to be the greatest American president, it was nice timing. Presidents Day is upon us, and there's no better time to channel the legends.
The birthdays of both Lincoln and George Washington (+24%) fall in February. One could consider Presidents Day (+102%) a mean-spirited elimination of what used to be two separate holidays for school kids, but we still think it's a fine time to remember cherished leaders.
But why single out George and Abe? There have been other U.S. leaders born in February, so why not pack a few more presidents into the holiday? Is William Henry Harrison (born February 9) just a forgotten footnote? And given the current nostalgia for his brand of conservatism, we think there'd be plenty of people willing to invite Ronald Reagan (born February 6) to the party.
So, what do you say, America? Do you vote "yea" or "nay" to the expansion of Presidents Day?