About 300 Southwest Campus students dressed as presidents and first ladies to commemorate Presidents’ Day, an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February.
Popular among the students who dressed in formal attire were President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln; President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
The holiday originally was established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, and it is officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Lincoln’s birthday was February 12.
“This was a way to teach kids about the different presidents and the importance of the month,” said Mrs. Alexander, director of the Southwest Campus. She said her teachers used the occasion to teach her students about Presidents Lincoln and Obama at a time when Black History Month is celebrated.
She said it was obvious that some students came with new suits and dresses for the holiday.
“We had great participation and it was a great lesson today,” Mrs. Alexander added. “We want to thank the parents for their participation. They went all out.”
While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present, according to history.com.
Mrs. Brown, campus director for Southwest Pre-K, said her students will learn about President Washington and that his image is on a quarter and one-dollar bill.
“Presidents’ Day is intended to honor all American presidents, but most significantly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln,” Mrs. Brown said.