When George Washington was twenty-one and a half, his birth date changed.
He was born on February 11, 1731, to Augustine and Mary Washington.
But in 1752, eleven days disappeared, and the calendar flipped straight from Wednesday, September 2 to Thursday, September 14. This pushed his birthdate back almost a week to February 22.
This is thanks to the change from the Julian calendar to the Georgian calendar we use today. Later, in 1968, Congress changed the observation of Washington’s birthday further to the third Monday in February.
Now Mount Vernon has free admission on both “President’s Day” and Washington’s birthday, giving you two chances to visit our first president’s iconic home.
So this coming week, when you’re wondering what to see in Washington, DC, visit Mount Vernon for free on Monday, February 19, and Thursday, February 22.
Here’s how you can do that.
- Pick which day you plan to go.
- Visit Mount Vernon’s website to see the full list of activities each day.
- Arrive early. Tickets and parking go fast.
- Plan ahead for when and where you’ll get lunch.
- Leave before the end of the day to avoid the crowds.
While you’re there, explain to the kids the crazy story of George Washington’s new birthdate.
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