4 facts about Presidents’ Day

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Monday, February 21, 2022

Reading the Farewell Address

The U.S. Capitol dome and U.S. Senate in Washington. | (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

A popular tradition associated with the celebration of Washington’s birthday is the reading of his “Farewell Address” in the U.S. Senate by a member of the legislative body.

The address was given by Washington in 1796 when he decided not to seek a third term as president, thus beginning the tradition of presidents not serving for more than two terms, which became law after World War II.

The reading of the address has been a continuous tradition in the Senate since at least the year 1896, with Fox News describing it in a 2019 article as “one of the Senate’s most enduring customs.”

Past figures to read the address on the anniversary of Washington’s birthday include Sens. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, John McCain and Barry Goldwater of Arizona and Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota.