President George Washington’s Birthday, 2026
This Presidential Proclamation, issued on February 16, 2026, reserves the date to honor the life, service, and legacy of George Washington, the first President of the United States, particularly in the context of the Nation's 250th anniversary of independence.
The document details Washington's pivotal role in the Revolution, his defense of the rule of law (such as during the Whiskey Rebellion), his precedent-setting tenure as the first President, and his insistence that national virtue stems from faith in the Creator.
Ultimately, the action formally proclaims February 16, 2026, a reserved holiday to show gratitude for Washington's indelible contributions to American sovereignty and freedom.
Arguments For
The action serves to honor the foundational historical figure of George Washington, linking his contributions to the ideals of American liberty and the common good.
Designating the day reinforces the connection between Washington's leadership during the Revolution and the celebration of 250 years of American independence.
The proclamation emphasizes the enduring value of Washington's principles, such as fidelity to law, courage, and faith, suggesting these virtues are necessary for the nation's future prosperity.
Setting the day as a reserved holiday acknowledges Washington's pivotal roles as military leader, Constitutional Convention president, and the first President who established vital democratic precedents.
Arguments Against
Designating a reserved holiday involves administrative and economic costs associated with a nationwide non-working day, potentially impacting commerce and productivity.
Critics might argue that elevating one historical figure through a specific reserved holiday overshadows the contributions of other significant American founders or historical groups.
Setting the proclamation for a specific, apparently future date (February 16, 2026) without immediate effect raises questions about the practical timing and necessity of the declaration at that moment.
Some interpretations of government authority might question the constitutional basis for declaring a specific day a reserved holiday through a proclamation rather than legislative action, though this is a common executive practice for commemorative dates.
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
This introduces the document as a formal declaration issued by the President of the United States, specifically identifying it as a Proclamation.
Today, our Nation honors President George Washington, our foremost American hero, the face of the American Revolution, and a champion of American liberty. On President Washington’s Birthday, particularly as we celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, we pay tribute to the father of our country, and with immeasurable pride and gratitude, we salute his unwavering fidelity to law, liberty, and the common good. As we chart the course toward the next 250 years of our great American story, we commit to forging a future that emulates his grace, imitates his courage, and mirrors his unshakable devotion to the promise of freedom.
The opening paragraph sets the theme, celebrating George Washington as the primary American hero and leader of the Revolution.
It connects this recognition to the Nation's 250th anniversary of independence and expresses gratitude for Washington's commitment to law, liberty, and serving the public good, urging current and future generations to follow his example of grace and courage.
Born in the Virginia Colony in 1732, George Washington was first commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1754, fighting in the early stages of the French and Indian War before serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he grew increasingly outspoken against the British Crown’s reign of taxation and tyranny. He assembled a band of farmers, frontiersmen, blacksmiths, and merchants to create the Continental Army, eventually leading them to victory at Yorktown over the British Army and their Hessian allies.
This section reviews Washington's early career, noting his birth in 1732 and his initial military commission in 1754 during the French and Indian War.
It highlights his shift toward politics in the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he opposed British rule and taxation.
The text then emphasizes his crucial role in forming the Continental Army from diverse common citizens and leading them to the decisive victory at Yorktown.
Through every triumph and tribulation, he carried himself with unfailing dignity and resolve. When defeat seemed all but certain during Christmas of 1776, he rallied his men to cross the Delaware River and wrested victory at Trenton. When faced with insurmountable odds and threats of mutiny during the brutal winter at Valley Forge, he persevered and prevailed. When decades of war and public service left him weary and longing for solitude, he continued selflessly answering duty’s call. When Europe descended into warfare, he courageously put our national interests and the cause of peace first. And when confronted with a violent uprising from rogue actors during the Whiskey Rebellion, he defended the rule of law and our Constitution with confidence and strength. Time and again, when any other man would have surrendered to despair, Washington pressed forward with unmatched determination.
The text recounts key moments demonstrating Washington's enduring resolve and leadership throughout the Revolution.
Specific examples cited include leading the crossing of the Delaware leading to the Battle of Trenton and maintaining morale during the harsh winter at Valley Forge.
It also mentions his willingness to resume service despite desiring retirement, prioritizing national peace over European conflicts, and decisively defending constitutional law during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Despite his desire to exit public life and enjoy the fruits of retirement, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention at Independence Hall and was later unanimously elected as our first President in 1789 — serving two terms before voluntarily relinquishing power and returning home to his beloved Mount Vernon, setting the precedent for the new Republic. Upon his retirement, King George III, once Washington’s political foe, hailed him as “the greatest man of the age.” By the time of his death, he commanded the respect of the entire world.
This paragraph focuses on Washington’s transition to establishing the government after the war.
Even when wishing to retire, he chaired the Constitutional Convention and was unanimously elected the first President, serving two terms before establishing the precedent of voluntary transfer of power by returning to Mount Vernon.
The narrative notes that even his former adversary, King George III, recognized him as the "greatest man of the age."
Among President Washington’s greatest legacies is his timeless insistence that, in order to be a great Nation, America must be a Nation that prays and gives thanks to our Creator. As he famously declared in his Farewell Address, “virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government,” and our faith in God is indispensable to our prosperity and strength.
This section highlights Washington's legacy regarding morality and faith in governance.
It stresses his belief, cited from his Farewell Address, that virtue and morality are essential foundations for popular government.
The text further asserts that the Nation’s reliance on its Creator is indispensable for prosperity and strength.
Driven by his relentless tenacity until his very last breath, Washington was a champion of American sovereignty, a brilliant unifier and tactician, and a man of devout faith and incorruptible conscience — and his visionary leadership remains forever imprinted on the soul of our Nation.
This paragraph summarizes Washington’s character, describing him as tenacious, a defender of sovereignty, a skilled unifier, and a tactician guided by devout faith and integrity.
His leadership is portrayed as permanently influencing the core identity of the United States.
Following President Washington’s death in December of 1799, the great Henry Lee declared that Washington was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” To this very day, he remains the first in our hearts and souls — and his courage and resolve remain the birthright of every American citizen. As we pay tribute to our first Commander in Chief and set our eyes toward our next 250 years of liberty, we pledge to build a future that honors his legacy, cherishes his wisdom, and restores America as one glorious Nation under God.
The text quotes Henry Lee's famous declaration regarding Washington's stature, affirming that this sentiment remains relevant today.
It frames Washington's courage as an inherent right for all citizens as the Nation looks toward the next 250 years, pledging to build the future by honoring his wisdom and restoring the nation as unified under God.
It is therefore fitting that as we celebrate what would have been his 294th birthday — and as we commemorate 250 years of American freedom and independence — we pause to offer our gratitude for President Washington’s gallant life of public service.
This clause establishes the justification for the proclamation, deeming it appropriate to pause and express gratitude for Washington's service during what would have been his 294th birthday, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 16, 2026, as a reserved holiday commemorating President George Washington’s Birthday.
This is the enacting clause where President Donald J. Trump invokes constitutional and legal authority to formally declare February 16, 2026, a "reserved holiday" specifically set aside to commemorate George Washington’s Birthday.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
This concluding statement provides the formal execution details, verifying the date the Proclamation was signed: the sixteenth day of February in 2026 (the two hundred and fiftieth year of American Independence).
DONALD J. TRUMP
This line presents the official signature block, indicating the declaration is finalized by Donald J. Trump.
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