George Washington

* We celebrate George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22, but it is amazing that many people do not realize that he was born on Feb. 11 under the calendar then in use in the American colonies. It is more amazing that there are almanacs and encyclopedias that do not agree on the year in which our first President was born. While many show that he was born in 1732, some indicate that he was born in 1731.

George Washington was born on Friday, Feb. 11, 1732, under the Julian calendar in use by England and its colonies. According to the Gregorian calendar, which we use today, Feb. 22, 1732, coincides with the Julian calendar date of Feb. 11, 1732. Thus, Feb. 22, 1995, is exactly 263 years from Washington’s date of birth.

A. B. L’ESPERANCE

Laguna Beach