Officially known as Washington’s Birthday, the holiday was originally meant to honor the country’s first president, George Washington. Eventually, the holiday included Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is Feb. 12. Presidents Day is observed on the third Monday of February each year. 

According to the then-used Julian calendar, Washington was born in Virginia on Feb. 11, 1731. In 1752  Britain and its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which moved his birthday a year and 11 days to Feb. 22, 1732.

During the American Revolution, George Washington stayed at the DeWint House in Tappan. The DeWint House is the oldest surviving building in Rockland County. George Washington also camped out at Washington’s Encampment in West Nyack on Strawtown Road.

                                   Rockland County is rich in history go discover it!

According to Encyclopedia Brittanica legends attribute the holidays origins to a Roman priest named Valentine, when others refer to the true St. Valentine as a bishop from Terni. Some scholars thought they were the same person! Whichever you believe Valentines day wasn’t associated with romance until about a thousand years later. In the late 14th century, English poet Geoffrey Chaucer published “Parliament of Fowls,” a poem declaring Valentine’s Day as the time where birds choose their mates. The poem seemingly sparked a tradition for lovers to send romantic letters to each other during bird mating season. These messages, called valentines, grew in popularity and were mass-produced by the late 1700s.  

Traditionally people give each other cards, flowers, roses and candy. Although the most popular gift is candy.  Red is a common color for Valentines Day and a fun fact is annually teachers receive the most Valentines day cards and gifts.

Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers anymore, it evolved into a day celebrated by all,

                                                                                                               Rockland Report