George Washington's Birthday

George Washington's Birthday is celebrated as a federal holiday on the third Monday in February. Before 1971, Washington's Birthday was one of nine federal holidays celebrated on specific dates, which—year after year—fell on different days of the week (the exception being Labor Day—the original Monday holiday).

George Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which placed Washington's birth on February 22, 1732.

I don't think too many people are remembering George Washington today. This holiday has become a day to shop. The banks and post offices are closed but all the stores are having sales. This year we have two major shopping days in a row...Valentine's Day and President's Day. Happy shopping. Sorry George.

George Washington Bookplate
Rare Million Dollar George Washington Stamp
George Washington Miniature Portrait

I think Abraham Lincoln's birthday has been lumped into Presidents' Day but I couldn't find a single reference to corroborate this fact. This one comes close. Am I correct?




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Maira Kalman's Final Post | By George

Say it isn't so! Maira Kalman's last blog post has appeared in The New York Times. It is dated December 31, 2009 which is very fitting for two lasts.

In her final installment of "In the Pursuit of Happiness," Maira considers George Washington's extraordinary life.

All of her previous installments are being turned into a book which will be charming for sure. I hope she does something else in the Times very soon. We'll all miss her, won't we?




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Eleanor Roosevelt | A Woman Is Like A Teabag

"A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she's in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

I love her likeness on the 20¢ U.S. Postage Stamp, don't you?

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A picture story visit to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia . . .

If you want to understand the United States and its people, says artist/author Maira Kalman, you need to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia.

You know how much I love Maira Kalman's picture stories. I've blogged about her in the past and her stories always thrill and delight me. I love Thomas Jefferson too so I was very interested to see what she had to say about him when she visited Monticello.

She was especially interested in the way he managed his time. The title of the New York Times story is TIME WASTES TOO FAST.

Read and enjoy the complete story here. You will be so glad you did.

This is the last weekend in June...enjoy it to the fullest. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. ♥Rosemary

Timely George Washington Quote about Debt . . .

Isn't this the best quote you've seen in ages? It is over 200 years old and still rings true. Too bad it is not practiced. Our national debt is incomrehensible to me.

Image is a scan of one of my early 19th century antiquarian prints. Engraved by A. Daggett from the original painting by Colonel Trumbull.

In Love with A. Lincoln | Another picture story by Maira Kalman . . .

This is my lucky day and yours too! The New York Times has a wonderful picture story by Maira Kalman. You liked the one I ran earlier this month about her day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

She recently visited the Lincoln Archive at the Rosenback Museum and Library in Philadelphia where she fell in love with Abraham Lincoln.

Read the entire illustrated picture story about Lincoln here with many more of Maira Kalman's wonderful illustrations for you to enjoy. You can thank me later! I was so happy to learn that there will be a feature in the New York Times every last Friday on "The Pursuit of Happiness". I hope we won't have to wait too long for another illustrated story by Maira. I love that she's always hungry and feels compelled to tell us what she eats! I wonder what's in a Lincoln Italian sub?

You will probably want to go back and view her picture story called 'MAD ABOUT THE MET' here.

Thanks for stopping by. ♥Rosemary

Abraham Lincoln Money Quote . . .

Abraham Lincoln | Rules for Living . . .

Timely Thomas Jefferson Banking Quote . . .

"Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies." Thomas Jefferson

Source: stated in 1811 when President Jefferson refused to renew the charter for the First Bank of the United States (the 2nd central bank chartered by Congress in 1791).

The beautiful building shown above is The Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia on Chestnut Street between 4th & 5th. It was founded after the War of 1812 when it was realized that without a national bank (the charter on the first bank was allowed to lapse) it would be impossible to fund another war such as the one just fought. Founded in 1816, the building was finished in 1818. William Strickland, one of the first great American architects designed the building, and Nicholas Biddle was the first president of the bank. After a long battle, Andrew Jackson disbanded the bank in 1832 during his crusade against the national banking system.

The American Presidents [song and film] . . .

Listen to this wonderful podcast from whitehouse.org and learn the song that lists the American Presidents in order. It requires Flash which you will have to download if you don't have it. Don't ask me how...you will have to figure out that part. Click on the image above or the link I have provided to watch the film and hear the podcast. After you have listened to it once you might want to print the lyrics so you and your family can memorize the song. It was written by Genevieve Madeline Ryan, a Princeton student. More facts about our Presidents compiled by Miss Ryan.

Presidents' Day 2009

These Presidents' Day finger puppets would be fun to make today costing only 26¢. Click on either photo above and find other crafty things to celebrate this holiday.

Abraham Lincoln ~ 16th American President . . .

Feb. 12, 1809 -- April 15, 1865
State: Illinois
Religion: His father and stepmother were Baptists, but he attended Presbyterian services in Springfield and Washington.
Marriage: Mary Todd
Military service: In the Black Hawk War, Lincoln served as captain of a company under Col. Zachary Taylor; he unsuccessfully attempted to track down Chief Black Hawk and never saw military action.
Party: Republican
Term: March 4, 1861 - April 15, 1865
Vice President: Hannibal Hamlin, 1861-1865; Andrew Johnson, 1865

Source of photo and information (read more):
Presidential Photo Gallery - Chicago Tribune

Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday ~ February 12, 1809 - 2009 . . .

Commemorative Stamp set issued by the US Postal Service to celebrate the Lincoln bicentennial. Buy only what you need or want to keep because postage is going up to 44 cents in May! Yet another increase with no added service.


Lincoln Portrait by Anthony Berger
at the Mathew Brady Studio 1864.


This image released by George Eastman House is a broken glass-plate interpositive of a clean shaven Abraham Lincoln, taken by Alexander Hesler at the Illinois state Capitol in Springfield on June 3, 1860.


The following photos are from Time Magazine.
Click to enlarge. Buttons don't work.

End of photos from Time Magazine.

When I was in school we celebrated this iconic President's birthday every February 12th. Now we have Presidents' Day which is celebrated next Monday so we can have a long weekend. It combines Lincoln's birthday and George Washington's birthday (February 22nd). I don't think children are taught the true dates for each President's actual birthday. What a shame.

Happy Birthday Honest Abe!




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