Traditionally, every year on February 22, America celebrates the birthday of George Washington – of the first President, considered the «founding father of the country.
George Washington's birthday was officially celebrated for the first time in 1880. In 1885, the holiday received national status.
Today, when celebrating the birthday of the first President, Americans remember not only his political and military qualities, but also his honesty. For the edification of the younger generation, the famous story of the cherry tree is also told.
According to the records of one of George Washington's early biographers, Mason Weems, little Washington was given a toy hatchet, and while playing, he cut down his father's favorite cherry. The angry father sternly asked who cut down the cherries, and George, despite fear of punishment, boldly replied: «I don’t know how to lie. I was the one who cut her down with a hatchet». Thus, from an early age, the President, in the eyes of the people of America, – was a man with a clear conscience and confirmed this glory throughout his life with his great deeds.
In memory of this occasion, on Washington's birthday, the traditional dessert – cake is served on the table in the form of a cherry tree trunk decorated with cherries.
Since the mid-1970s, at the proposal of Congress, it was decided to celebrate the Day of Remembrance of All US Presidents. Officially, this holiday is called Presidents' Day. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February, however, in many states (primarily the southern ones) they adhere to the tradition of honoring the memory of George Washington alone.