Presidents' Day

George Washington as a "Hand Made American Citizen" on a cigar box label.

"Here's to the Birthday We Celebrate! Ellen H. Clapsaddle. Painting only copyrighted by the Int. Art Pub. Co. 1912."

"Geo. Washington, first president of the U.S., 1789-1797. Design copyright 1908, by M. W. Taggart, N.Y."

Know Your Presidents. Note: The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. indicate order of succession. The abbreviation D for Democrat, R for Republican, Fed for Federalist. Swing to Ortlieb's, Philadelphia's famous beer. Henry F. Ortlieb Brewing Co., Phila., Pa.

"Three cheers for George Washington."

A young George Washington on a die-cut trade card shaped like an axe head. "Rosenbaum & Co., 208 North Eighth St.," Philadelphia, Pa. See Catalogue of Rosenbaum and Co.: Fall Season, 1881-82 for illustrations of the picture frames and other items that were available from this company.

As Wikipedia explains it, " Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February [February 16 in 2015] in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Colloquially, it is widely known as 'Presidents Day' and is often an occasion to remember all the presidents, not just George Washington [whose actual birthdate is February 22] or Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February [on February 12]. The term 'Presidents Day' was informally coined in a deliberate attempt to use the holiday to honor multiple presidents and is virtually always used that way today." Today, Presidents' Day is simply noted as a time for special store sales or--for some--a day off from work or school. In years past, however, George Washington's birthday was celebrated with special events, like this program of musical performances and recitations that was held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1894. Washington Tea Given by the Luther Union, Zion Lutheran Church, Thursday, February 22, 1894, 7:45 p.m. Programme Hymn - "America" [For the verses, see the image above.] Instrumental Duett - Misses Knocke and Seidel Declamation - "Eulogy on Washington," Phillips - Mr. William Bomgardner Bass Solo - "The Bugler" - Mr. Chas. Barnitz Address - B. M. Nead, Esq. Collection Recitation - "Ode to America," Eliza Cook - Master Clarence Funk Violin Solo - "National Airs" - Miss Blanche Raysor Essay - "Martha Washington" - Miss Annie Hershey Vocal Solo - Miss Emma Meyer All are invited to remain for the reception.

Front cover of a menu for a birthday dinner in honor of George Washington, State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., February 22, 1907. See below for the inside pages and back cover .

Inside pages of a menu for a birthday dinner in honor of George Washington, State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., February 22, 1907. See also the front cover and back cover of this menu.

Back cover of a menu for a birthday dinner in honor of George Washington, State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., February 22, 1907. See also the front cover and inside pages of this menu.

Handwritten on the back of this real photo postcard: "Alfred Orva Landrus, Sr. July 15, 1919. Orvie's father."

Handwritten on back of photo: "Orville Mellis, Decatur, Illinois, 1938, Lincoln impersonator." Reminiscent of Alexander Gardner's photo showing Allan Pinkerton, President Lincoln, and Maj. Gen John A. McClernand posed in front of a tent on the Antietam, Maryland, battlefield, Oct. 3, 1862.

"Washington Birthday Reception, Prof. Carroll's Auditorium, 1102 S. Broad Street, Monday, Feb'y 22, 8 to 12. Special attractions!" Today Washington's Birthday seems to be an excuse for car dealers to hold month-long "Presidents' Day" car sales. But once upon a time, the day to celebrate the first President of the United States was set aside for orations, teas , dinners , and other special celebrations. This paper hatchet is an announcement of one special Washington Birthday Reception that was held in Philadelphia, probably sometime in the 1890s (either 1892 or 1897, I believe, which were years when February 22 fell on a Monday). The apocryphal story about George Washington and the cherry tree is, of course, the reason for the hatchet shape, and the punchline to the story --"Father! I cannot tell a lie! I did it with my little hatchet!"--is printed on the other side (see below). Professor Carroll's title wasn't an academic rank like we use for college and university teachers today but instead identified him as a dance teacher. He may have been a member of the American Society of Professors of Dancing or one of the other dance teacher organizations that were established in the late nineteenth century (for more on this, see Philadelphia Dance Teachers: Taking Steps , a posting on the Philadelphia Dance History Journal blog). I haven't been able to determine what activities or "special attractions" might have taken place as part of Professor Carroll's Washington Birthday Reception from 8:00 p.m. to midnight on that Monday, February 22, although presumably dancing was involved. I did find this complimentary though vague description of a "monthly reception" that was held in 1894 (from A "Doings in Dancing Circles" column in the Philadelphia Inquirer , October 21, 1894, p. 15): "Professor Carroll's Auditorium, 1102 South Broad Street, was nearly full to overflowing at the monthly reception last Monday night, and a prettier picture than this beautifully decorated, brightly lighted hall, with so many handsome well-dressed people, could not be found. Mr. Carroll is such a genial whole-souled fellow and so capable of carrying out to a success such a party as this that one hardly ever questions who will be there, for they know in advance that every one and every one of the best would not be absent on such an occasion."

"Father! I cannot tell a lie! I did it with my little hatchet!" For more information, see the front of this Washington Birthday Reception announcement:

"Social Party. Yourself and lady are respectfully invited to attend a social party at the Lansingville Hotel, Friday evening, February 22, 1884 . Music by Jacob's Full Band. Bill, $1.50. W. DeCamp, proprietor."

A ticket or invitation for the "Second Sociable" held by the Marietta Dancing Class in Marietta, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1887. I haven't been able to locate any information about the dancing class or Samuel B. Gramm 's role as instructor. The date of February 22 suggests that the dance may have been a celebration for George Washington's Birthday . The Marietta Dancing Class S. B. Gramm, instructor, Invite you to attend their Second Sociable, on Tuesday evening, Feb'y 22d, 1887, at the Marietta Rink Music by Taylor's Orchestra.