In the early 1900s, Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays were separate holidays, not yet combined into Presidents’ Day. This ad from the February 10, 1917 Perth Amboy Evening News shows how The Boston Store planned to commemorate these presidents’ birthdays.
This image from the February 12, 1919 Perth Amboy Evening News, gives a more reverent view of President Lincoln.
On the February 18, 1904, the Bridgeton Pioneer ran a page featuring only stories about President Washington. One piece shared primary school students’ responses to the question “Why is Washington’s Birthday celebrated?” Among their answers:
” . . . because he fought at almost every war and was at the head of the army.”
“He never told a lie to his mother. He also had a good conscience.”
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