The Nixon Library hosted a day-long celebration of Presidents’ Day on February 17th. Four U.S. presidents – Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Grant (portrayed by actors) made appearances and took photos with children. The Mountain Fifes Drums band performed music from the American Revolutionary War period.
Presidents’ Day originated in 1879 as Washington’s Birthday, a day to commemorate the birthday of founding father and first president George Washington (1732.2.22 – 1799.12.14), who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War. Lincoln (1809.2.12 – 1865.4.15) also had a February birthday and issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863. In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act designated Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February each year.
The day’s celebration included band performances and a panel with the presidential role-playing actors. Joe Lopez, the acting President and CEO of the Nixon Foundation, gave a speech, emphasizing the importance of honoring and remembering history through the lively portrayal of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant.
Children had the opportunity to interact with historical artifacts, greet, ask questions, and take photos with the “presidents.” Gary Beard, who has portrayed General Washington for 27 years, highlighted the significance of understanding and appreciating the history of the United States and its founding figures.
Beard mentioned a recent survey conducted by Mount Vernon, revealing that only 26% of high school students knew George Washington was the first president. He expressed a desire for children to engage with history, learn, take notes, and interact with historical items, although not all artifacts could be touched.
Actor portraying President Jackson shared stories from his revolutionary career, emphasizing the need for men to defend their honor through duels in that era. The actor portraying President Grant recounted his military education at West Point and experiences during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.
Robert Broski, who has portrayed President Lincoln for 14 years, shared insights into Lincoln’s life and career, including his famous Gettysburg Address. Children posed various questions to the “presidents,” ranging from favorite foods to their stance on significant historical events.
Third-grade student Nolan expressed his interest in history and learning new stories about the presidents. The event also featured a performance by the Mountain Fifes Drums band, presenting music from the Revolutionary War era to engage both children and adults in history.
Joy Hatch, the band leader, highlighted the educational value of presenting history through music and live performances. The event provided a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with the past and experience the heartbeat of history. Mark Kane, a Serrano Elementary School teacher, captured the essence of the event through videos and presidential introductions for educational purposes.
Overall, the Presidents’ Day celebration at the Nixon Library offered a blend of educational engagement, historical appreciation, and interactive experiences for attendees of all ages.