In ancient times, last century, schoolchildren and workers alike celebrated the birthdays of the father of our country (February 22) and the President with the most “stones” (February 12).  Yes, at that time our nation felt that the accomplishments of these two historical leaders warranted two separate and important holidays.   Now we have Presidents’ Day, when we are to celebrate the feats of such hallowed presidencies as those of Grover Cleveland, Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover (just to spread the politics around).   In my Florida county (Hillsborough), there was no school holiday, and many businesses remained open.

Now I’m going to get into trouble.  Too bad !     We take the day off to celebrate a Spaniard who accidentally discovered the Americas in the 17th century.   And before anyone calls me a racist, I am in awe of the racial mending process put into place by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., both in speech and in deed in the 1960s, but can anyone tell me with a straight face that Abraham Lincoln is less deserving of a holiday for his deeds (for those living in Birdsboro, think Civil War, 13th Amendment, Gettysburg Address) in righting a horrible wrong in our country ?   Just because his actions took place in the 1860s doesn’t make them any less notable.

Did you ever wonder what message we are sending out to our schoolchildren, studying their little hearts out yesterday in Hillsborough County, regarding the role of history in their education ?      Thankfully the sun has set once again on my least favorite holiday.                                    WHAT THE HECK !