We celebrated a national holiday this week. Did you observe the big celebration? No, because there wasn't one. This is the holiday that passes with barely a notice. Some people had the day off at work and some places were closed. But it's certain that many went to the post office anyway and wondered why the doors were locked.
Presidents' Day is supposed to honor two of our greatest presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both of whose birthdays are this month. The birthdays were consolidated for convenience and placed on a Monday so that we can all have a long weekend.
But these presidents are worthy of honor - despite the fact that they, being as human as you and me, were not perfect. Washington, like most landowners in his region, regrettably owned slaves (and eventually released them).
Other, different parts of his character and his contribution to America are what we can admire. Historians have called him "the indispensable man" and we should know why. What else did he do besides own slaves? Plenty.
(cont'd tomorrow)
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