I’m sure I’m not the first to say it, but the Winter Olympics for some reason just aren’t as exciting as the Summer Olympics. Therefore, while I watch paired figure skating, y’all are getting another post, and a timely one at that!
A “Love” for “The Presidents”
Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day back-to-back? Doesn’t happen often. Especially after nearly a week of the federal government being closed for a miraculous 10-day weekend for some. So what’s the deal with these two holidays? One is paired with Hallmark, and the other with history nerds like me (although in all fairness, you’re reading this so you’re just as guilty). But both with a rich and fascinating history.
In chronological order, Valentine’s Day, like all good holidays, has its roots in ancient Rome. There were actually several St. Valentines from the ancient Roman period, all of whom are enshrouded in mystery and vagueness. The first time any St. Valentine was mentioned was not until Pope Gelasius I mentioned him in AD 496 as a man whose good deeds were known to God. Skip ahead 1000 years to 1493, a legend surfaces that St. Valentine was a Roman Christian priest who continued to marry Roman soldiers in the 3rd century when the emperor Claudius II desired an army of unmarried men, believing they would be stronger. St. Valentine was eventually martyred for performing these marriages. Another legend has St. Valentine as a Christian priest who was interrogated by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Valentine was sentenced to death. While in prison before his execution he allegedly healed the daughter of the jailor and fell in love with her. He then wrote her love letters signed, “your Valentine.”
No one really knows exactly who St. Valentine was, but it wasn’t until the time of Chaucer (1490s) that the association with love and relationships began. As for the date, some say that it is on February 14 to combat the ancient Roman rite of Lubercalia, celebrating fertility, which was celebrated between February 13-15. Weird, I haven’t mentioned that mischievous little god Cupid, son of Venus? He was not associated with the holiday until it became a romantic holiday in the 1500s. And as our boy Shakespeare would say, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
In America, Presidents Day (or President’s Day, or even Presidents’ Day, all are officially correct depending on your meaning) celebrates all the presidents between the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington. However, the holiday actually differs from state-to-state. For instance, in Virginia the holiday is specifically dedicated to Virginia native George Washington, and no one else. This is actually how the holiday came to pass. In 1885, Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22) became a federal holiday, and the first holiday dedicated to an American citizen. In 1971, the date was changed to be the third Thursday in February, which often times makes it not fall on Washington’s birthday. Since then, several legislative attempts have tried to officially rename the holiday “Presidents Day” but all failed in Congress. It took help from the advertising business to push this unofficial title.
Again, depending on the state you’re in will depend how this day is celebrated. But no matter which state you’re in, it’s a federal holiday, which means no school and for federal employees… no work! Washington is 278 today by the way.
On a side note, check out this article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/14/AR2010021403568.html.
It is about slaves who worked for presidents in the White House and eventually lived in D.C. one in particular who worked for Jefferson and Madison with a fascinating story.
hahaha loved the post =)
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