Most American calendars mark the third Monday in February as Presidents' Day. Retailers use the observance to advertise deep discounts over the long weekend. But this holiday doesn’t commemorate all presidents. It's not even legally called Presidents’ Day. U.S. law designates this holiday "Washington’s Birthday" in honor of the nation’s first president, George Washington. And, contrary to its formal declaration more than 50 years ago, the whole thing is still a bit of a sore subject.

America has been celebrating the birth of its first president for nearly 200 years. Washington was born on February 11, 1731 (a date that was later adjusted to February 22, 1732, with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar). The centennial of his