President’s Day

Every 20th of February we get off from school. Why? Because it’s President’s Day! President’s Day is a day where we honor former presidents of the United States, specifically George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

“My favorite president is George Washington. I like him because he was a responsible person, and he helped us win our independence from the British in the Revolutionary War,” sixth-grader Danielle Milo commented.

George Washington was our first president. He was the general of the Continental Army fighting for independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War. A famous battle fought on New Jersey soil was the The Battle of Trenton where Washington and his army crossed the freezing Delaware River on Christmas Eve and took the British by surprise. Abraham Lincoln is also known for the great things he did.

“Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president. I think he is the best because he helped end slavery for African Americans and gave them the freedom to live their own lives,” sixth-grader Ryan Neuschwanter said.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president. He enacted the Emancipation Proclamation which freed some slaves. Even though President’s Day is mostly about celebrating Washington and Lincoln, students also choose to honor other former U.S. presidents.

“My favorite president is Franklin D. Roosevelt. Not only did he expand national parks and forests, he also helped win World War II,” sixth grader Connor Terzian said.