Presidents Day, Hoodie Hoo Day, February 20th

Presidents Day

President Nixon gets a lot of bad press. Perhaps one of the things that he gets the least blame for, but I think he should be called to task for, is the elimination of a day off in February. Apparently, pre-1971, when Nixon signed the Uniform Holidays Bill, people got two days off in February: Lincoln's Birthday, on February 12th, and Washington's Birthday on February 22nd. At this time, the observance of Washington's birthday was moved to the third Monday in February, which guarantees that it will never be observed on Washington's actually birthday. Interesting. Also interesting is that although everyone calls this holiday Presidents Day, it is actually federally recognized only as Washington's Birthday. States do not have to observe Federal holidays, which is why some states call this holiday Presidents Day, or President's Day.


Hoodie-Hoo Day!

Hoodie-Hoo Day celebrated annually on February 20th (didn't you know?) to chase away winter and usher in spring. At noon, you, and everyone you know, is supposed to go outside, wave their hands over their heads, and chant "Hoodie-Hoo!" Everyone who does this will be making the statement that they are tired of winter and want spring to hurry up and come.

Hoodie-Hoo Day provides the perfect opportunity to do some pre-spring emotional housecleaning. If your cognitive closets are filled to overflowing with cobwebs and winter blahs there's no room for anything else. You have to clear out the old and familiar before you have space for the new ideas and fresh starts of springtime.

So, go ahead and do it. You know that you want to. It's time to just go outside and yell "Hoodie Hoo!"