George Washington, the father of our country, is best remembered for holding the militia together during the early years of the Revolutionary War.How the course of history would have been different had he failed to squelch the uprising.Once upon a time, we celebrated the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln separately, an honor befitting their outsized legacies.Washington knew that failure to end the insurrection would render the Constitution — and the notion of Federal supremacy — impotent.
And that’s a shame.It’s universally accepted that their accomplishments merit unequal treatment in that regard.But perhaps his most decisive triumph came in the summer of 1794, when as president he personally led the militia that put down the Whiskey Rebellion.
Presidents Day should be a chance for Americans to reconnect with the past — both distant and near — and the giants of the office who transformed the country.It was too important to delegate to others, so he donned his old uniform, saddled up, and marched through Western Pennsylvania, where he quickly scattered 7,000 disgruntled distillers.The intent was to pay respect to all the previous office holders, though the unintended consequence has been just the opposite.His time as president is sometimes considered an afterthought to his military escapades.It was Richard Nixon, of all people, who decided to replace Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays for the more generic Presidents Day, which takes place on the third Monday in February.For younger generations, the holiday represents little more than a chance to score some deals at the local mall; it’s doubtful that shoppers are giving thought to our greatest presidents as they troll the discount bins.It’s an oddly named holiday, if for no other reason than few would hold the presidents with equal reverence.There’s certainly no shortage of men and moments to appreciate.Presidents Day is ostensibly a time to celebrate the great men who helped shape the nation.
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