President's Day Cocktails

To most of us, President’s Day is nothing more than a day to get a good deal at the mall. It’s all about the sales, isn’t it? It’s kind of funny how we distort the true meaning of just about every single holiday there is. I mean, is Christmas really about presents and Valentine’s Day about flowers? Of course not. But, at least we actually know what we’re supposed to be celebrating on those days. What are we supposed to be celebrating on President’s Day? Hint: it’s not a good sale.

President’s Day is an interesting holiday because of the way it evolved. Is it a day where we’re supposed to be honoring all presidents, past and present? That’s definitely not how it began. We celebrate President’s Day in February because it is the month when two important Presidents were born. So, which was born on the third Monday of the month? Neither (and who celebrates their birthday that way, anyway?). Washington’s birthday (February 22nd) used to be a national holiday – every year on that date. Lincoln was born on the 12th of the same month, but his birthday was never a national holiday.

In 1971, Washington’s Birthday (the national holiday) was officially moved to the third Monday of February. During Nixon’s time as President, there was a spoof printed in the NY Times stating that he declared the day a day to celebrate all presidents, including himself. The quote never came from Nixon, but it stuck. Although the day is meant to celebrate Washington’s Birthday, many celebrate all presidents instead.

If that describes you, you might want to try an Obamatini or a “Bill Clinton” on Monday. But, if you’re a purist, you may want to throw back a homemade beer in honor of the founding father that made this holiday possible, George Washington.