PRESIDENTS DAY ACKNOWLEDGES MAKERS OF HISTORY

Today is Presidents Day, and it is one of those federal holidays that leave Americans wondering what they are celebrating.

Officially, the third Monday in February is set aside by the federal government to mark the birthday anniversary of our nations first president, George Washington. Today isn't really his birthday, thanks to the federal government's desire to sanction so many three-day weekends and because of changes in the calendar. Officially, Washington's natal day is Feb. 22 based on the current calendar.

To make matters even more confusing, today's holiday isn't even called Washington's Birthday any more. The catch-all name of Presidents Day is meant to include Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is celebrated by some states as either Feb. 12 or the first Monday in February.

Confused.

But wait. That's not all.

Even though many Americans lump Washington and Lincoln together for this holiday, others choose to include every president from Washington to William Jefferson Clinton.

Regardless, you won't get any mail today.

The setting aside of a special day to honor the Father of Our Country is fitting. No study of American history would be complete without learning how young George cut down a cherry tree and told his father about it, because he couldn't tell a lie. Or how he threw a silver dollar across the Delaware River. Or was it the Potomac River? Never mind. Both stories are apocryphal anyway. Yet millions of Americans learned of Washington's integrity and stature through the telling and retelling of these tales.

It is further fitting to include Lincoln, the president who presided over the nation's darkest hour, in today's celebration. His life as an Illinois lawyer has significance in these parts because he lived and worked close by. Thousands will remember last year's reenactment of the Lincoln-Douglas debates around our neighboring state, including the one at Jonesboro.

Finally, being president of the United States is a singular honor. Today all of them can share the nation's accolades.