The only disagreement on the Balcony this morning was about the “apostrophe.” Do we include it in the title, or just go with the general devolution of language with universal meaning? Today is a case in point. It used to be about one, then two Chief Executives. Then, it evolved into a term describing an assortment of people whose most visible job sometimes is capitalized. You must pardon us, since by training years ago, we consider both Mr. Lincoln and General Washington to be the ones who would get personal apostrophes in a capitalized word.

We think another honoree should have some respect this morning. Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia was elected President of the United States to replace Gerald Ford in a surge of public desire to (finally) put the Watergate matter to rest. His single term in office was marked with some controversy, but there is something everyone remembers on the Balcony. Jimmy is a good man (present tense), and his life was well-lived. He has checked into home-based hospice care at the age of 98. That is a record span for all Presidents, including those who have apostrophes and those who do not. We wish to honor him while he is still among us.

The holiday is a little jumbled. It is sometimes written as Presidents’ Day, including the apostrophe but moving it a space to make it plural and more collective. Officially, it was once known as ‘Washington’s Birthday’ at the federal level of government, celebrated on the third Monday of February since 1879. The General led the Continental Army to victory over the British Empire, then the world’s preeminent power and also presided over the Constitutional Convention and served as our First President.

Mr. Lincoln shares honorable mention with George. The various states have used 15 different names for the Chief Executive Holiday. Depending on specific jurisdiction, the various versions officially celebrate Washington alone, Washington and Lincoln, or other combination of U.S. presidents including Thomas Jefferson, though he was born in April.

To give federal employees a three-day weekend, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed in 1968. It did not specify any particular uniforms to be worn, but moved the Unspecified Chief Executive Day to the third Monday in February. Based on calendar vagaries, that can occur anywhere from February 15 to the 21st. The day refused to be Unspecified, and soon became known as Presidents(‘) Day (placement of apostrophe, if used, varies). It now provides an occasion to honor George, Abe or any single president of choice.

This being a day in which Mr. Carter still lives among us, we propose we give the apostrophe to him, and in the singular possessive. “Happy President’s Day, Sir. We respect you and your service. We wanted to say it while you can still hear us.”

Copyright 2023 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com