President’s Day is just around the corner. We honor key leaders who have created a nation where freedom is championed. This national holiday is a great time to be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy. Why not thank God right now for your freedom and ask Him to direct this country and its current leaders. Also thank God for those you love. Then take a moment to thank someone special in your life by sending them a FREE digital greeting card from LifeTalk Radio. Discover many beautiful eCards at: lifetalk.net/ecards. Sending eCards is easy, fun, and fast. Remember to say “thank you” often.
A national holiday is a great time to remind others you care. Take a minute and send a free digital eCard to your friends and and coworkers. LifeTalk Radio has many sharing cards to chose from. Select a beautiful card with an encouraging message, a powerful Scripture or a Bible promise. Let others know God loves them and that you’re thinking of them. You can even TEXT an eCard from your mobile device. Or post an eCard on your Facebook page or social media.
Here is some interesting history. An act of Congress in 1879 created, Washington’s Birthday, as the first federal holiday to honor an American president. February 22 was celebrated for George Washington’s birthday. However, in 1968 this federal holiday was changed to the third Monday in February when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, providing federal workers a three day weekend. Hence many holidays today are celebrated on Monday rather than the actual event day. In fact, the official holiday, Washington’s Birthday, (also known as President’s Day) now falls between February 15 and 21, thus never again will it be celebrated on his actual date of birth.
For many years, nearly half of the states observed February 12, in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. However, it was never a federal holiday. These days many states designate President’s Day to include both Washington and Lincoln as stellar presidents. Some states include other prominent presidents as well, and it’s often celebrated to honor all U. S. presidents.
How much do you actually know about George Washington, the first president of the United States? Here is what legend tell us.
During a key battle of the French and Indian War, on July 9, 1755, an American Indian chief just couldn’t comprehend why the British would be so foolish as to stand their troops in a neat row, shoulder to shoulder and dress them in bright red uniforms. It couldn’t be easier for his Indian sharpshooters to pick them off one by one. Even when they were shot at, the red coats refused to break rank and run for cover.
The slaughter continued for two hours. By that time, a thousand of the 1,459 red coats were either killed or wounded, while only 30 of the French and Indians were injured. Not only were the English soldiers foolish, but their officers rode high up on horseback and were also easy targets for the Indian muskets. One by one, the mounted officers were shot down, until only one officer remained. Round after round was aimed at this lone officer. Twice his horse was shot out from under him. And twice he mounted another horse and continued the battle. But no matter how hard they tried, the braves could not seem to get a bullet into this remaining officer. The Indian sharpshooters stared at each other in disbelief.
Finally the chief said, “Stop firing, this one is under the special protection of the Great Spirit.” A brave standing next to him replied, “I had seventeen clear shots at him…and after all could not bring him to the ground. This man was not born to be killed by a bullet.” The name of that bulletproof officer, was George Washington. After the battle was over, he was walking among the wounded and noticed a tear in his coat. It was a bullet hole. He rolled up his sleeve, but there was no mark on his skin. He removed his coat to examine it and noticed three additional holes, where bullets had gone through his coat, and yet none had penetrated to his body.
Fifteen years later, in 1770, Washington was walking through the woods near what is now Pittsburg, where that July 9 battle had taken place. The old Indian chief came out to see him and told him the story of how many bullets his braves were sure had Washington’s name on it. And how the chief finally believed that this officer was under Divine protection and being guarded for greatness. The chief spoke these words: “The Great Spirit protects that man and guides his destinies—he will become the chief of nations and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”
That twenty-three year old lieutenant colonel with four bullet holes in his coat, went on to command the Continental army. Yet during all his years of war, George Washington was never once wounded in battle. Washington’s life was protected and spared for a specific reason. He was to lead in the birth of a new nation. During the French and Indian war, George Washington had fought on the side of the British and King George of England. This occurred during the Colonial period of this country’s history. But when this nation declared its independence, he fought against King George and the British.
There’s another instance of divine providence that happened during the American Revolutionary War. It occurred during the summer of 1776, in late August, only a few weeks after the Declaration of Independence had been adopted on July 4, and barely several days after it had been signed on August 8. It’s the story of the Battle of Long Island, which was a major victory for the British, and a defeat for the American army under General Washington. This Battle gave the British control over the strategically important city of New York. It was in fact the first major battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the largest battle fought during the entire Revolutionary War.
The British had pushed the American troops to where they had their back against the East River, with no where to turn. The troops of King George were sure that Washington would have no option but to surrender. The Continental army was outnumbered four to one. They were getting ready to face the British attack and were very low on powder. Already they had sustained significant losses. Washington had started out with 10,000 soldiers of which 1,000 had be killed or wounded and another 1,000 had been captured. The word was that the British fleet was on its way up the East River to block any possibility of retreat. One lieutenant spoke up and asked General Washington. “What are we going to do?” Washington replied: “Firmly rely on the protection of Divine providence. God has not brought us this far to desert us.”
The British had surrounded the American troops, but no attack came the afternoon of August 27, nor the next day. Apparently they were waiting for the ships to get into position for the battle. So on the night of August 29, Washington implemented a daring plan, to evacuate his entire army of 8,000 men across the East River. At that point, the river is a mile wide. And so the retreat across the water began, a few boatloads at a time. The challenge was to do this as quietly as possible. Any sound would surely warn the British. How quiet can 8,000 men be, along with horses, and the loading of cannons and other supplies? What about the splashing of oars in the water? How about the moonlight, would it give them away? Imagine rowing a mile across, then rowing a mile back for another load of men.
By sunrise the task was far from over. They would need another three hours to get everyone across to safety. But without the cover of night, the retreat would certainly be discovered by the enemy. Just as the first glimmer of day light began to dawn, a dense fog covered both encampments. That providential fog remained in place until the last boat, with George Washington aboard, left the shore. As the fog began to lift, the British were shocked to discover that the American trenches were totally empty. They ran to the shore and began firing at the last four boats, but they were out of reach. Washington had managed to get his entire army across the river without a single casualty.
Here is what George Washington said in his inaugural address. “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.” George Washington, the Father of this Nation—no wonder we celebrate his birthday as a national holiday.
