Punctuation Challenged Holiday

Posted on February 12, 2023 by vanbraman

What is the correct way to punctuate the name of the holiday that is coming up soon.

Is it President’s Day, President’s Day or Presidents Day?

Which one is correct?

Actually, none of them are correct for the nation as a whole.

According to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, the holiday is still officially Washington’s Birthday.

Some states have passed additional legislation to change Washington’s Birthday as Presidents’ Day. The weekend itself is also often known as Presidents’ Day Weekend (apostrophe placement varies).

While watching TV this week I have seen commercials using all three variations.

For someone who takes grammar seriously, this weekend can be grating on the nerves as they see the apostrophe moving all over the place.

Of course, Washington’s Birthday is an easy one to figure out and the apostrophe is not often misplaced. The Birthday belongs to Washington and therefore we use the possessive apostrophe between the n and the s.

President Washington, Washington's Birthday, President's Day - Marx Presidential FigureIf the day was only honoring President Washington, we should use President’s Day.

Presidents Washington and Lincoln - Presidents' Day - Marx Presidential FigurinesIf we mean that the day honors both President Washington and President Lincoln we could use Presidents’ Day as the day belongs to both of them.

Marx President Figurines - Washington to Johnson - President's Day - Figurines - Grocery PromotionHowever, since Presidents is used as an attributive noun to modify the noun Day, Presidents Day can also be used. In recent years the use of attributive nouns has been increasing and several style manuals now give Presidents Day as the preferred style when used in this sense. It is also more inclusive as this day is often used to honor all presidents.

So,  what day is the holiday?

For me, as I live in California, it is Washington’s Birthday.

I looked through several California Government websites and saw it used different ways. I even saw one website use Presidents’ Day with a footnote referring to Section 6103(a) of the US Code and saying they use the name of the Holiday designated in the law. What is interesting is that Section 6103(a) uses Washington’s Birthday :-).

Which do you think is the correct name to use for the Monday holiday and also for the weekend?

Steven

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Virtual Hike to Wallkill, NY

Posted on February 11, 2023 by vanbraman

The next destination on my Virtual Hike was Wallkill, New York.

Wallkill NY, virtual hike, hudson valley, ancestorThe previous destination on my virtual hike was Catskill, New York.

The virtual hike from Catskill was through the Hudson River Valley.

Wallkill NY, virtual hike, hudson valley, ancestorAfter leaving Catskill the route was through forested areas, before finally starting to go through a lot of lightly populated stretches as it went further south.  Wallkill NY, virtual hike, hudson valley, ancestorSince the route was near the Hudson River there were crossings over small rivers and creeks as they made their way down to the Hudson.

Here you can see an old iron bridge crossing one of the rivers.

Wallkill NY, virtual hike, hudson valley, ancestorThe route also ran along some of the small rivers or creeks for part of the way.

Wallkill NY, virtual hike, hudson valley, ancestorThe virtual hike finally made it to Wallkill.  The hamlet has a population of about 2,000. It was here in Wallkill in 1794 that that one of my ancestors, John Connor, wrote his last will and testament. However, one source has him dying in nearby Scotchtown in 1813. There is more research to be done, but a will is probably a better source than a DAR application.

The next destination on my Virtual Hike has a family connection as will many of the upcoming stops. There will also be a great view of the Hudson River soon.

I have been setting shorter distances between destinations for better motivation for my daily walking and so far it has been working. I have been walking more each day and have made good progress on my Virtual Hike. I am still a few stops behind on my posts.

I am still heading south down through, or near, the Hudson River Valley. I have some interesting stops planned along the way including several with family connections. I will even venture into the big city to exactly where one of my ancestors lived.

Steven

Images in this post are from Google Maps and Street View.

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