(Feb. 16) - By George, it's a swell birthday!
Today, by federal statute, Americans celebrate the birth of the county's first president. Officially called Washington's Birthday, the holiday is now observed on the third Monday of February, rather than Washington's actual birthday. Many state and local governments use the holiday to honor Abraham Lincoln as well, since he was born in February, too. The federal government, however, never made such a distinction.
Either way, it's a day off of work for some, school for many, and an excuse to travel, shop or just indulge. But in between hitting the sales and propping those feet up on the coffee table, pause a minute to remember the reason for the holiday.
Take the George Washington vs. Abraham Lincoln quiz, then test your knowledge of U.S. presidents.
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Test Your News IQ
Only one bachelor has ever occupied the White House. Who was it?
- James Buchanan
- Andrew Jackson
- James Monroe
- Zachary Taylor
Who was the tallest president?
- Abraham Lincoln
- Barack Obama
- Franklin Roosevelt
- George Washington
Which religion has been the most common among presidents?
- Baptist
- Episcopal
- Methodist
- Presbyterian
How many presidents were born outside of what is now the continental U.S.?
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
Besides Bill Clinton, which other president was impeached?
- William Henry Harrison
- James Polk
- Andrew Johnson
- Richard Nixon
Which president began the tradition of throwing out the first pitch at the start of the baseball season?
- Calvin Coolidge
- Warren Harding
- William Taft
- Woodrow Wilson
Who was the first president to travel abroad during his tenure?
- Grover Cleveland
- Benjamin Harrison
- William McKinley
- Theodore Roosevelt
Who had the first bathtub installed in the White House?
- John Quincy Adams
- Millard Fillmore
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Abraham Lincoln
