Today is Presidents’ Day!
What began as an unofficial day of celebration for the birthday of our nation’s first President, George Washington, was later signed into law in 1879 by President Rutherford B. Hayes as an official federal holiday – the first federal holiday that recognized an individual.
We now continue to formally recognize the third Monday in February as Presidents’ Day for the contribution that all our past Presidents have made to keep and preserve a More Perfect Union…A Nation Under God.
Throughout history, U.S. Presidents have had a lot to say about America’s Christian founding and God’s divine hand to protect our land.
In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, President George Washington said: “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor…and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions.”
“Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look for our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” This was President Ulysses S. Grant’s message to America’s next generation in 1876.
