Why Presidents' Day Is 'Silly,' According to a Historian 

Why Presidents' Day May Be Outdated

Presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky argued on MSNBC that Presidents' Day may not be a holiday worth celebrating in its current form. Chervinsky, who serves as the executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library, suggested that instead of honoring all presidents simply because they held office, Americans should celebrate the specific actions and achievements of certain presidents. 
"We have had some real duds, so I'm not sure we really want to be celebrating all presidents," she remarked, pointing out that the tradition of celebrating leaders' birthdays originated from royal customs that Americans rejected with independence from Britain.
Here are four key points about why the federal holiday should be abolished. 
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The Origins and Evolution of Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day, observed on the third Monday of February, was originally designated to celebrate George Washington's birthday (February 22). Over time, the holiday expanded to recognize all U.S. presidents, even those with less than stellar records. MSNBC host Ali Vitali asked Chervinsky why she found the holiday "ridiculous," prompting her to suggest an alternative approach.
"Let's celebrate Washington returning his command and ensuring that there wasn't a military dictatorship. Let's celebrate Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Things that they actually had control over as opposed to their birthday," the historian suggested. 
Her argument emphasizes historical contributions rather than the individuals themselves, a perspective that challenges the traditional, broad observance of one of America's " more head-scratching of holidays," another historian quipped on Facebook.

Presidential Power and the Risks of Unchecked Praise

Chervinsky and Vitali also discussed the dangers of treating presidents as infallible figures, referencing a recent social media post by Donald Trump. In the post, Trump quoted the historic, conquering leader Napoleon Bonaparte, saying, "He who saves his country does not violate any law."
Vitali noted how this mindset aligns with Chervinsky's concerns that unquestioning reverence for presidents could lead to dangerous abuses of power. 
Chervinsky agreed, stating, "If we think of a president as someone to celebrate just because they exist… then it does evolve into that argument that they can do no wrong."

Public Response and Political Tensions on Presidents' Day

As Chervinsky made her case, protests erupted across the country, including outside the U.S. Capitol with demonstrators voicing concerns over Trump's policies. The protests reflect a broader division in public opinion about the presidency, further supporting Chervinsky's point that not all presidents should be honored equally.
Vitali asked Chervinsky about the "star power" often required to win the presidency and whether this celebrity-like status affects public scrutiny. 
Chervinsky acknowledged that certain political skills deserve respect, but she warned against viewing presidents as beyond criticism.
"I think that if we see them as somehow other, it causes us to believe that we shouldn't criticize, we shouldn't analyze, we shouldn't hold accountable," the historian concluded.