COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 187

August 31, 2007

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Commemoration of George Washingtons Birthday

In recognition of the contributions of George Washington to the formation of our nation and constitution, the 2007 General Assembly passed House Bill 2837. The bill asks that the Department of Education make available to local school divisions information regarding the commemoration of George Washington's birthday on or around February 22 in the public schools. The text of House Bill 2837 may be found at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+CHAP0132.

George Washington, the "Father of His Country," was born on February 22, 1732. Since 1971, his birthday has been incorporated into Presidents Day, celebrated nationally on the third Monday in February. Please see:

• http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/george.html at the United States Information Agency for facts about George Washingtons birthday;
• http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/gw/gwintro.html at the Library of Congress for classroom lessons on George Washingtons leadership;
• http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/kids/teacherguide.html at the Smithsonian Institute for lessons about the life of George Washington; and
• http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/meet_george/index.cfm//cfid/8147272/cftoken/47893113 at the Mount Vernon website for a brief biography for general readers as well as special material for students and teachers.

If you need additional information about George Washington and George Washingtons birthday, please contact Beverly Thurston, coordinator, history, social sciences, and international education, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Beverly.Thurston@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 225-2893.

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