Queens Gazette

Bringing America’s Heritage Into Focus




Some years ago the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and 22, respectively, were celebrated as two separate holidays. For a number of reasons, the two dates were made into a single federal holiday on the third Monday in February that celebrates the 44 terms of all 43 presidents. (The numbers and terms do not match because one president, Grover Cleveland, served nonconsecutive terms.)

The 43 presidents have differing backgrounds and histories. William Henry Harrison served the shortest term, a little over a month, and Franklin Roosevelt the longest, 12 years. Some, like Roosevelt, came from patrician backgrounds, while others, like Herbert Hoover, were selfmade men who had distinguished careers before coming to the White House. Others achieved greatness after taking office.

Like the presidents and the office they have held, much has changed since Washington was first inaugurated in New York City. Two centuries ago, presidential candidates were known to most of their prospective constituents by no more than name and reputation at most. Today, television puts names, faces, words and deeds in the homes and consciousness of millions of people worldwide instantaneously. From 13 colonies huddled along the Atlantic seaboard, today the nation stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific and almost reaches Siberia. It extends from a point in the Florida Keys almost to Cuba and from the Rio Grande to north of the 70th parallel of latitude. In 1789 a letter took at least a week to get from New York City to Philadelphia; today, the Internet delivers e-mail around the world in nanoseconds.

More extensive and varied than the landscape is the population: In Queens alone, people who have emigrated here from more than 117 countries speak more than 125 languages. Among other reasons, most have come here out of a wish to live in a political system that democratically elects its leadership. Over the past 235 years (starting from 1776, when we declared our independence from Great Britain), we have amply demonstrated our ability to change our leaders peacefully. Besides the democratic process, presidents have died in office, some through illness, a few at the hands of assassins, but in each case, the vice president peacefully succeeded. In some other places a change in leadership is preceded by rioting and bloodshed and succeeded by vicious repression of any dissent. One such instance is taking place even as you read this: last week, Hosni Mubarak, for 30 years Egypt’s unchallenged leader, was forced to step down after that Middle Eastern country’s people finally decided his term in office had reached its end–a far cry from America’s electoral process. But hopefully for Egypt and the world, the roots of democracy have been planted.

Each president has had individual strengths and weaknesses. No one can be all things to all people all the time, and presidents have demonstrated this fact throughout our nation’s history. Nonetheless, all have brought something unique and special to the office and to the still growing and developing story of the United States. On next Monday, Presidents’ Day 2011, we urge our readers to take a moment to acknowledge the part all 43 have played in making the nation what it is today.



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