As another February fades into history, the month’s historical significance to the American presidency remains incandescent. The birth month to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, February exhibits the least number of days and greatest number of great presidents. This correlation of presidential preeminence and birth date makes one wonder what William Henry Harrison (born Feb. 9) might have achieved had his presidency not ended more abruptly than John Paul I’s pontificate.
Fortunately, no speculation is needed regarding the achievements of Washington and Lincoln, the two presidents almost universally recognized as the best of the bunch. And while the federal government only recognizes Washington’s birthday as a federal holiday, some states have merged separate observances of Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays into a single generic Presidents Day. Neither the federal government nor any state government sets aside a day to honor America’s 49 vice presidents. But if that were to change, the only suitable date for Vice Presidents Day would be Jan. 9, the birthday of Richard M. Nixon.
Best known for his tenure as America’s 37th president, Nixon’s earlier tenure as America’s 36th vice president was transformative. Constitutionally, the vice president is given just three duties, assumption of the presidency…
