Lincoln's Birthday

February 12 is Lincoln’s birthday and February 22 is Washington’s. When I was in school, these two days were celebrated separately on the days of their birth. The school halls and classrooms were decorated with silhouettes of the two honorees. We made or colored top hats for Lincoln and it was not unusual to see them sported in the halls. For Washington there was a cherry pie or cobbler for dessert in remembrance of the “I will not tell a lie” tale. Speeches were made starting with “The Gettysburg Address.” There was a recounting of Washington “crossing the Delaware.” Today the two holidays are rolled into one, “President’s Day” and celebrated on a Monday so people can have a “three day weekend.”

This year the Super Bowl fell on Lincoln’s actual birthday. Wondering about the reaction, I texted my friends “happy real Lincoln’s birthday.” Some of them said they expected the text to say. “Happy Super Bowl” but were actually glad to be reminded of Lincoln instead. They all remembered making top hats in school and other fond memories.

It is important to remember these less famous holidays. I feel they are even more special when they are celebrated on the actual day they occurred. To me, an assembly at school in the middle of the week with pertinent speeches is much more fun than a three day weekend. Sometimes small celebration are more meaningful than big blow-outs. They are much less stressful (unless you are the one reciting the entire Gettysburg Address) and create memories that last a life time.

As one of my friends texted back when I asked if she remembered making top hats, “Yes, I remember.”