Editor |
Schauffler, Robert Haven, 1879-1964 |
Title |
Washington's Birthday : its history, observance, spirit, and significance as related in prose and verse, with a selection from Washington's speeches and writings
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Series Title |
Our American holidays
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Note |
Reading ease score: 54.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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Credits |
E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Charlene Taylor, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) in commemoration of Washington's Birthday, February 22, 2005
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Summary |
"Washington's Birthday: Its History, Observance, Spirit, and Significance" edited by Robert Haven Schauffler is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the celebration of George Washington's birthday as a pivotal American holiday, assessing its historical and cultural contexts. It highlights the evolution of public perception of Washington, transitioning from a distant hero to a relatable, flawed individual, while also examining the significance of his legacy and the way it has been commemorated over the years. The opening of this work sets the stage for a nuanced portrayal of George Washington, emphasizing a shift in how Americans view him—from a venerated, almost mythic figure to a more humanized character marked by humor and fallibility. The text discusses the early celebrations of Washington's birthday, revealing how they were initially vibrant and full of love for the man, contrasting sharply with the modern sidelining of such displays into mere formalities. The preface encourages readers to appreciate Washington not just as a historic icon, but as a person whose actions and character had deep impacts on the American ethos, inviting them to reflect on the deeper emotional significance behind the observance of his birthday. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
E300: History: America: Revolution to the Civil War (1783-1861)
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Subject |
Washington, George, 1732-1799 -- Anniversaries, etc.
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
15140 |
Release Date |
Feb 22, 2005 |
Most Recently Updated |
Dec 14, 2020 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
86 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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