Biden eulogizes past leaders as US celebrates Presidents' Day

The President of the United States, Joe Biden has eulogized and commended the country’s past leaders.

The president gave the commendation during the country’s Presidents’ Day celebration which was held on Monday February 21, 2022.

Speaking at the event, Biden said, “Today we celebrate Presidents’ Day. But the American story isn’t a story of presidents. It’s a story of the American people — of you, your family, and your community.”

He added, “It’s a story of courage, character, strength, and resilience in facing the toughest challenges and overcoming them together.”

While eulogizing the past leaders, the president stated, “It was true when Lincoln saved the union. It was true when Franklin D. Roosevelt told us the only thing we had to fear was fear itself. It was true when John F. Kennedy stood in the winter air and summoned the country to serve.

“It was true when Lyndon B. Johnson watched the images from Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday and went to Congress to guarantee voting rights.”

He stated further, “And it’s true today, as we work to build our nation back better. As we work together to combat a deadly virus, joblessness and hunger, racial injustice, hopelessness, and despair, I want you to know that we can get through this — and I want you to know that better days are ahead.

“I know that because the American people have never let this country down given half the chance.”

“On this Presidents Day, I promise you, my whole soul is in our work to continue building our nation back better than before. We have our work cut out for us, but if we do it together, as one nation, we will not fail.

“Now more than ever before, we must stand shoulder to shoulder to protect our progress and move America forward. Because I know that when we come together, we can accomplish anything,” he said.

Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February.

Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.

While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.