Learning About George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on Presidents Day

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While some retailers are celebrating Presidents Day with aggressive discounts on ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, we thought a more respectful commemoration that honored the accomplishments of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln would be appropriate. If you are a presidential trivia afficiando, you probably already know that in the U.S. Code, today’s legal public holiday is Washington’s Birthday, not Presidents Day. See how many of the following questions you can answer.

  1. George Washington is often referred to as the “Father of his country.” Did he sign the Declaration of Independence?
  2. Party politics is alive and well in 2011. What political party did George Washington represent?
  3. How many electoral votes did George Washington get in the 1792 presidential election?
  4. Inauguration Day marks the beginning of a president’s term in office. Where did George Washington take the oath of office for his first term in office?
  5. Some presidential historians look at a president’s failures prior to their term in office as moments that helped the presidential candidate later on during the campaign for office. Who ran against Lincoln in his failed attempt to run for a U.S. Senate seat in 1858?
  6. President Lincoln is known for abolishing slavery. Which state was the first to ratify the 13th amendment?
  7. It seems President Obama may have had a Back to the Future moment and looked to Lincoln for ideas on public transportation and the financing of wars. What act paved the way for the First Transcontinental Railroad?
  8. What act was passed that helped pay for the Civil War?
  9. One important duty the president has includes the appointment of U.S. Supreme Court justices. How may U.S. Supreme Court justices did Lincoln appoint?

Here are some resources to help you find answers to the above questions.:

George Washington (whitehouse.gov)
United States Declaration of Independence (wikipedia)
United States Presidential Election, 1792 (wikipedia)
Abraham Lincoln (whitehouse.gov)
Abraham Lincoln (wikipedia)
First Transcontinental Railroad (wikipedia)