During Washington’s lifetime parts of Europe, including England and Virginia, changed the calendar being used from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. The old Julian calendar had fallen out of sync and weeks and months kept slipping into the next season. In the process of correcting this problem George Washington’s birthday shifted one full year and eleven days to February 22, 1732.
But it doesn’t stop there. In the U.S. for decades Washington’s birthday was celebrated separately and shortly after Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th. How great is that! Two Presidential birthday holidays in one month! Then someone in the government decided to smush them together–no doubt in the name of efficiency–and toss in every other U.S. President, and came up with designation of President’s Day, which is being celebrated today, February 16th. It is a day that doesn’t match any President’s real birthday., but now you are among those who know the facts about President’s Day and the Gregorian calendar.
Happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate it
Here is another cake image for you. Yes, I know it is a couple of days late, but it is such a good holiday it is worthwhile celebrating it twice this year. We definitely need more happy days filled with love and chocolates and a pink cake. (Yes, the cake is pink inside!)
While this post has not much to do with Tucson, specifically, it indulges my love of trivia! More about Tucson coming soon.
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