In 1796, George Washington decided to retire after decades of public service, but he was worried for his nation’s future. This episode explores his Farewell Address, which he hoped would guide Americans beyond his own lifetime.
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY
Did you know that Presidents' Day is officially called Washington's Birthday? The federal holiday was established by an act of Congress in 1879 and was celebrated every February 22 until 1971 when the holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February. This places it between February 15 and 21, which makes "Washington's Birthday" something of a misnomer, since it never occurs on Washington's actual birthday, February 22. With the proximity of the holiday to Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12, the name "Presidents' Day" emerged in the 1980s with a push from advertisers.
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CREDITS
Host: Richard Lim
Producer: Michael Neal
Artist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.com
Rebroadcast, originally published: 10/20/2020