As the 2012 presidential campaigns continue to attract media attention, federal recognition of Washington’s Birthday (also known as Presidents’ Day in Oregon and other states) on the third Monday in February leads us to reflect upon the past presidents of the United States, naturally starting with George Washington. As the nation’s first president, Washington has received ample attention in history classrooms across the country as well as in the pages of Oregon’s historic newspapers, not to mention tributes to Washington at the national capital and his image on the dollar bill.
The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) February 21, 1904, PART FOUR, Page 30, Image 30 http://tinyurl.com/6olskjm
Over time, Washington has developed a reputation as a hero – a legendary, larger than life leader who took it upon himself to assure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for the American people. Despite this romantic notion, Washington was indeed a human man, and his efforts would have been futile without the support of his colleagues and constituents. A humanizing element is added to Washington’s story when we remember that he had a family (learn more about Martha Dandridge Custis Washington):
Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) February 22, 1893, Image 3, http://tinyurl.com/6n7cd4b
And even the Commander in Chief needed to seek shelter during the Revolutionary War:
The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) February 18, 1906, PART FOUR, Image 48, http://tinyurl.com/6qg3cpk
After the Revolutionary War was won, the U.S. Constitution was ratified and Washington was elected president and served two terms. According to the White House Historical Association, “to his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. Wearied of politics, feeling old, he retired at the end of his second. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances” (Beschloss and Sidey).
Washington set the first presidential example and since has been a prominent role model for America’s presidents, but do people today continue to base their vote on the policies, philosophy, or likeness of Washington, as expressed in this assertion about Warren G. Harding?
Malheur enterprise. (Vale, Or.) August 28, 1920, Image 1, http://tinyurl.com/7wjvsk3
Either way, it’s interesting to think about the values and reasons that guide our presidential choices. Would the history of the United States be much different if perhaps one of these proposed candidates had been elected as opposed to Warren G. Harding in the 1920 Presidential Election?
The Springfield news. (Springfield, Lane County, Or.) June 13, 1919, PAGE 6, Image 6, http://tinyurl.com/7jsoxuw
Or what if the Democratic nominee, newspaper publisher James M. Cox, had won the election? Would the history of America’s newspapers be any different?
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Washington laid the stepping stones for all of the nation’s future presidents, and he initiated many of the presidential traditions that are still practiced today:
The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) February 26, 1905, PART FOUR, Page 33, Image 33, http://tinyurl.com/7pltgdt
While many American traditions have persisted over time, much has changed since Washington’s reign, so you might wonder – what would Washington think or say if he were here today?
The Evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) February 22, 1922, Page Four, Image 4, http://tinyurl.com/83aoqt8
The Evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) February 22, 1922, Page Three, Image 3, http://tinyurl.com/8yfhd3j
It is no wonder that Washington tends to get the most attention on Presidents’ Day, which is also a celebration of his birthday, but don’t forget about all of the other influential presidents in history! For example, February 22nd may be Washington’s birthday, but Abraham Lincoln was also born this month on February 12th:
Bohemia nugget. (Cottage Grove, Or.) February 13, 1903, Image 7, http://tinyurl.com/7r4vcah
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) February 12, 1910, Image 1, http://tinyurl.com/76wm6ap
Presidential recognition and speculation has become a national tradition in the United States, as can be traced through historic newspapers. This year on Washington’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day, in addition to searching the Chronicling America and Historic Oregon Newspapers websites for the name of your favorite pre-1923 president, take some time to think about all of the American traditions that have remained in place over the years, as well as the dynamic social and political changes that have occurred in the United States since Washington’s day. And don’t forget that behind every president – past, present, and future – stands we, the people.
Works Cited:
Beschloss, Michael and Hugh Sidey. “George Washington.” The Presidents of the United States of America. White House Historical Association, 2009. < http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewashington >
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