Presidents’ Day: Facts. Fables. Nicknames & More Mega Blog Hops…
“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak and esteem to all.” President George Washington
Presidents’ Day: USA Presidential Seal … celebrate!
Presidents’ Day Origins: For anyone who wonders about the origin of this special federal holiday that celebrates/honors two of America’s greatest Presidents; George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the idea came in 1968, when the 90th Congress voted to shift three federal holidays, including George Washington’s Birthday to the 3rd Monday of February. There was resistance and objections raised but eventually in 1971 it became law. Interestingly, some refer to it as President’s Day though the more appropriate term is Presidents’ Day in honor of two not one President; both have birthdays in the same month. Of course, we know that one fallout of this holiday is the huge commercialization that occurs and the ads that invite all of us to shop, spend and enjoy new toys. 🙂
Stories: There are many fables/stories attributed over the years to specific presidents. Two that stand out are “The 20 Year Jinx” & “The Fable of George Washington and the Cherry Tree.” The 20 year jinx, also known as The Curse of Tippecanoe, was purported to be a curse placed on American presidents that every 20 years a president in office would die. While it seems that many did, the curse was believed to be broken when Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt while in office.
The Cherry Tree story connected to George Washington has, over the years, evolved into other versions, but had to do with the question of who chopped down a neighbor’s tree; a crime the young George admitted doing by responding he couldn’t lie – all to do with the value of speaking the truth… not telling a lie and an image created to show honesty as a character trait of the President. That story is believed to be a fable. 🙂
Nicknames: Many of us grew up with nicknames; usually some form/adaptation of our original name or something funny connected to our behavior or other aspects of our personality. The presidents had nicknames too and some I read were quite interesting or read … funny: POTUS – an acronym for President Of The United States used by the Secret Service and United States Military; John Quincy Adams – Old Man Eloquent – his eloquent speeches; John Adams – Atlas of Independence (his size); James Monroe – Last of the Cocked Hats (popular in his day); Martin Van Buren – Machiavellian Belshazzar & Old Kinderhook his personality and home; Franklin Pierce – Handsome Frank – referring to his appearance; George W. Bush – Dubya, W, and GW (Gee Dubya) – his pronunciation of W; William Jefferson Clinton– Comeback Kid ( Teflon Bill for his time in office); Chester A. Arthur – The Dude President – his style of clothing. More Below
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” President James Madison
Zachary Taylor – – Old Rough and Ready – he was a war hero; Harry S. Truman – Give ‘Em Hell Harry – well obvious; Gerald R. Ford – Mr. Nice Guy – he was nice; Ronald Reagan – The Gipper – a reference to a film role; Richard M. Nixon -Tricky Dick – the Watergate & other scandals; Abraham Lincoln – Honest Abe for his character; and last but not least John F. Kennedy – King of Camelot; the legacy and family. I hope you enjoyed learning some tidbits about the highest office in the USA. Here’s something for you. Tell me the answers to the two questions below for a dinner at Le Cirque shout-out!
Who were the Oldest & Youngest Presidents in office:
Which President = Longest served and shortest served:
The Mega Week-long Blog Hops continue: ✿♡✿This week, add a post you really enjoyed writing!✿♡✿(more information below)
MEGA MONDAY-SUNDAY BLOG HOP FOR BLOG POSTS #1
MEGA MONDAY-SUNDAY FACEBOOK & NETWORKED-BLOGS BLOG HOP#2
The Mega Blog Hops continue
What is a Blog Hop and why join one? It is a popular way to connect with other bloggers & make new friends on a variety of topics, themes, or just for the fun of connecting. It’s a terrific way to meet new people, refresh a post that needs some loving attention and get a few new comments from others in the blogosphere. Add the tag RandomBlog2011 to your post, you will benefit from another wonderful idea/ blog challenge from Classy Rose✿♡✿This week, add a post you really enjoyed writing!✿♡✿
STEPS/RULES: The rules are simple.
♥Add your post to Linky #1,
♥add you fan page/networked blog (if you have one) to Linky #2,
♥leave me a comment or question especially if we haven’t already met,
♥Click on the links above your post & visit as many fellow blogger posts as you wish,
♥comment/like their post, and/or fan their Facebook page/networked blog,
♥Let them know you’re from our Mega Blog Hop ~ they will return the love
♥and spread the word. 🙂
✿♡✿Thank you All and have a Happy Presidents’ Day!✿♡✿
MEGA MONDAY BLOG HOP FOR BLOG POSTS #1
MEGA MONDAY FACEBOOK & NETWORKED BLOG HOP#2
Positive Motivation Tip: Resolve to seek out the truth in common stories and learn something new everyday.
Related Articles
- 21 Presidential Questions for Presidents’ Day (thedailybeast.com)
- Celebrate President’s Day With Google Earth (searchenginewatch.com)
- Happy President’s Day! (community.tradeking.com)
- Presidents Day (finebooksmagazine.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photo of Presidential Seal via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
yes frog link?
Hi, You already have a link to the hop on your post! 🙂 I checked the links I have and it looks like there is another link I could have added to the hop. Will look into it and will get back to you! Eliz
Hey how do I add inlinkz pic to my post?
Hi Jackie,
What do you want to add, the blue frog link or something else? Send me an email and I will respond. Thanks for adding your post! 🙂
Eliz
they will not like to have a President’s Day in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya …
Sadly … but that too will pass. I’m sure of it.
Meanwhile, we pray and send them blessings and hugs….
🙂
You either have an encyclopedia for a brain or spend an awful lot of time on research. That’s the part of blogging I like the least. And I have to tell you that I have no idea how you are posting EVERYday. I’m only doing it for this week and I’m exhausted already!
Youngest Pres… JFK Oldest… Reagan
FDR had the longest time in office but can’t remember the one that died like a month into his term.
I’ve never done a blog hop and I think I’ll wait til the next time it comes around because I don’t have any time this week to discover new blogs to read. Thanks for all you do!!
I spent time on the research and have neither the time nor the brain… but there we are, right?
Thanks for the answers and when you come to NY, dinner will be on me…
That is until someone else gives me all the correct answers. LOL! 🙂
Oh yeah, the blog hop will continue until they run us outta town. 😉
Eliz
Great Post! 🙂
I too signed up for the link. But I haven’t figured out how to link it up into my posts.
Sorry Soapbird, you can copy the current link and add to your site…
I have not copied the extra code for site add-ons but…
Since you and Jackie asked I will be attentive to it next week. 🙂
The rest is pretty simple right?
Do let me know!
Ta love,
Eliz
Hi Eliz,
Glad I am not the only one who is awed by your amazing research capabilities…in addition to your great writing skills and sensitive approach to every topic you cover!
I’ll have to get busy to do today’s post so I can link it. 🙂
Personally, I LOVE the research part of posting daily…too bad I have other responsibilities in my life…as I know you do as well…you must be a LOT more organized than the rest of us. 🙂
Love the post…it should be part of a school curriculum so that students discover the REAL truth about our heroic presidents…some of whom were really heroic…just not perfect. 🙂
Viv,
Thanks for the feedback…
Thankfully, the internet and Google are very generous at showing their secrets when we request them.
I enjoyed the process and learned a lot doing the research.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and that makes the difference to me… 🙂
Eliz
maybe a bit glib, but i think the office of the president should not be the one to be respected, but the man or one hopes whenever, the woman. rid yourselves of the billion dollar cost and ridiculous screening process and elect a real statesman (woman) .. end of sermon … goodnight 😉
The office is bigger than the man/woman elected though each brings a strong unique quality to the role. One day there will be a woman in the white house; we just don’t know when.
In terms of the debt, it wasn’t created by the current president and will take some time to correct… I am hopeful! 😉
Thank you!
Eliz