Before we begin, Presidents’ Day shouldn’t be a day of recognition. Originally, this government holiday was created to honor George Washington on his birthday. Then came Abe Lincoln with his February birthday and mistakes were made.
We are left with an odd holiday which places Franklin Pierce shoulder to shoulder with Washington and Lincoln, so we might as well celebrate. I suggest using the day as opportunity to read up on our nation’s history. Here are some recommendations.
Books
On George Washington, His Excellency by Joseph Ellis is excellent. I also recommend Ellis’s book on Thomas Jefferson, American Spinx. If you like older works, then George Washington, A Biography by Washington Irving is the perfect book for you.
For more modern day presidents, check out Theodore Rex, by Edmund Morris and President Kennedy by Richard Reeves.
There are so many biographies on each president it is tough to offer, with confidence, the best recommendations simply because my readings could only amount to a fraction of the volume available. With that said, I have read a bunch. I enjoy a presidential biography because, if well-written, it is also a chronicle of America and American culture. When learning about a specific president you won’t be able to avoid learning amount the time period he lived and served.
Films
Air Force One is the best film with a US president (fictional or real) as a major character. In this one, Harrison Ford plays a fictious president. The film begins with a foreign policy speech about blah, blah, blah. Don’t let politics get in the way here; this film is about action. Gary Oldman plays a Russian who takes over Air Force One in flight with the First Family and White House staff on board. The action is intense. Glenn Close plays the Veep. She asks for a copy of the Constitution, which is the only part that is absolutely absurd. However, I wish more federal meetings began with a quick read of the Constitution.
Dave and The Contender are good for conspiracy theorists. Hot Shots! Part Deux is hilarious and just barely fits the category thanks to a great performance from Lloyd Bridges.
TV Shows
HBO’s John Adams is an excellent mini-series. I never watched West Wing, save an episode when Jimmy Smits was running an unethical game on his colleagues. I was impressed and I’m told it’s a good show. There really aren’t many shows that fit the category. I plan on watching Veep one day, but I don’t have streaming access to it right now.
Museums
Virginia is the birthplace of presidents. Mount Vernon, Monticello, Montpelier, and Highland will get you through the Founding Fathers generation, with still more just in Virginia alone. Get out to a museum may be the best recommendation here. But there’s no need to go Staunton for this.
President Day Sales
Possibly the most practical way to celebrate the presidents is to save a few bucks at your favorite retail store. President Day sales are everywhere. So when it comes down to the bottom line, we all do owe Franklin Pierce a little acknowledgement.