Lincoln and Washington’s Birthdays to be Renamed After Soviet Holiday
A California assemblyman strongly expressed his opposition against a bill seeking to adopt the International Worker’s Day as a regular, paid school holiday. Miguel Santiago, who is a member of the Democratic Party, introduced the said “May Day” bill aiming to designate every third Monday in February as “President’s Day.” Matthew Harper questioned Santiago if he’s aiming to compete to become the laughingstock of the United States.
He expressed his disbelief via televised speech by stating that the said bill was “insane” and ridiculous. If the bill gets passed, it will scrape off Abraham Lincoln and George Washington’s birthday as a school holiday and will be replaced with President’s Day and International Worker’s Day.
The International Socialist Workers’ Day, or also known as May Day, had been observed in countries under Communist rules. It is also considered as an official holiday of the Soviet Union which caused Harper to go inter even higher levels of incredulity.
Some states observe the day as part of Presidents’ Day, which is officially known as Washington’s Birthday. Various activities such as concerts, birthday parties, and re-enactments are often organized for the day. Organizations such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail, and the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission often plan large-scale events to honor and remember Lincoln on or around his birthday.
A reading of the Gettysburg Address, as well as a wreath-laying ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, are traditional events on February 12. Republican Party members may also hold Lincoln Day fundraising dinners because he is known as the first president of the Republican Party.
The History of Lincoln’s Birthday
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on February 12 in 1809. He lived for a while in Indiana and then moved to Illinois. He used to work on a farm, but he also split rails for fences, worked in a store, was a captain in the Black Hawk War, as well as a lawyer. He married Mary Todd and together they had four boys.
Lincoln started his political career when he was just 23 in 1832 as a Whig Party member. However, his first campaign for the Illinois General Assembly was deemed unsuccessful. He then joined the newly formed Republican Party in 1854 and was nationally recognized during the 1858 debates with Stephen Douglas despite Douglas winning in the race for US Senator. Lincoln then won the presidency in 1860 and, despite being a Republican, rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause during the Civil War which lasted until 1865.
Some of Lincoln’s names were the Great Emancipator, the Rail Splitter, and Honest Abe. He was the president throughout the American Civil War and is known worldwide for his struggle to preserve the Union and the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. John Wilkes Booth killed Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC on Good Friday, April 14, 1865. The assassination occurred less than two weeks after the Confederacy surrendered at Appomattox Court House in 1865.
Lincoln’s Birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in one year after his death, which is 1866. Many states have a joint holiday to honor both Lincoln and George Washington, sometimes calling it Presidents’ Day.
Washington’s Birthday Background
Washington’s Birthday is considered the country’s federal holiday which is held every third Monday of February in honor of former President George Washington. Washington was born on February 22, 1732, and became the first ever President of the United States. Because of the Uniform Federal Holidays Act of 1971, its observance can occur between February 15 and February 21 inclusive
The day is a state holiday in most states, with many official names. Depending on the state’s law, they can holiday can celebrate the Washington holiday alone, Washington and Abraham Lincoln (whose birthday is February 12), or some other combination of U.S. presidents (such as Washington and the third president Thomas Jefferson, who was born in April)
More in Legal Advice
-
A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Real Estate Lawyer
A real estate lawyer specializes in legal matters related to property, from transactions to disputes. They ensure legality in real estate...
December 3, 2023 -
What Is Asylum & How Does It Work?
At its core, asylum is a protection granted to foreign nationals in a country because they have suffered persecution or have...
November 26, 2023 -
6 Reasons Why Sentencing Is Any Judge’s Toughest Assignment
When you picture a judge, you might imagine a stern figure in black robes, gavel in hand, delivering verdicts with unwavering...
November 14, 2023 -
Carrie Underwood Sued for NBC Sunday Night Football’s “Game On”
It is almost ritualistic. As the weekend winds down and Sunday evening approaches, millions across America gear up for a night...
November 12, 2023 -
Why Lawyers’ Productivity Has Increased in Modern Times
Remember the old days when your image of a lawyer might have been drawn straight out of an episode of “Matlock”...
November 5, 2023 -
Paying Down Debts Using Debt Relief Tactics
Debt is like that lingering headache that never seems to go away, no matter how much aspirin you pop. But there...
October 29, 2023 -
Pro Se: Your Right to Represent Yourself WITHOUT an Attorney
The legal system is complex and so, more often than not, people hire a professional attorney to navigate the legal system....
October 21, 2023 -
The Craziest, Most Expensive Hollywood Divorces of All Time
Hollywood is the land of glitz, glamour, and romance – until it is not. Over the years, we have seen our...
October 13, 2023 -
How Was Life as a Lawyer in Ancient Rome?
The Late Roman Republic was a period chock-full of political drama, rampant corruption, and the rise and fall of powerful figures....
October 8, 2023