Today, the United States celebrates and honors the memory of its first President, George Washington. Washington’s birthday, colloquially known as “Presidents’ Day,” was brought about by an act of Congress over 100 years ago. The holiday always falls on the third Monday in February, somewhat ironically ensuring that the day of celebration can never fall on Washington’s actual birthday (February 11th or 22nd, depending on your Gregorian/Julian preference). We have gathered a few quotes followed by an infographic on Presidents’ Day timeline.
Presidents’ Day and Washington’s Birthday 2015: Quotes
“I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.”
– George Washington
“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
– George Washington
“Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.”
– Thomas Jefferson
“Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.”
– John F. Kennedy
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
– President Abraham Lincoln
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
– Harry S. Truman
“Now, I know that he’s taken some flak lately but no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than The Donald. And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter, like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?”
– President Obama, ribbing Donald Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner
“A morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable. “
– Thomas Jefferson
“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”
– James Madison, speech, Virginia Convention, 1788
Presidents’ Day and Washington’s Birthday 2015: Infographic
In honor of Presidents’ Day, follow us through the lives of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, using their words and original historical documents as the backdrop through which we find them at crucial and defining moments.
Infograhic source: Raab Collection
