Presidents’ Day celebrates past presidents of the United States of America. It had initially been celebrated as George Washingtons birthday and then expanded to honour US presidents. It was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1879 and more recently is celebrated annually on the third Monday in the month of February.

Since the beginning of the American Red Cross, the President of the United States has been involved in our mission. At the organization’s advent, President Abraham Lincoln authorized Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, to identify the fate of missing soldiers for grieving parents, family and friends after the Civil War. 

From Lincoln on, Presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt initiated the American Red Cross disaster relief program in 1906 and Jimmy Carter, who frequently donated blood to Red Cross’s biomed program. 

Presidents’ Day allows us to introspect on the Journey of the United States and the core principles that guides us. Values like Self Reliance and individual freedom, competition and equal opportunity, hard work and the American dream. These values were at the core of the founding fathers’ vision for the United States and are what distinguish the United States from other countries. Presidents’ Day in a sense commensurate the contributions of US Presidents in keeping this vision alive.

RED CROSS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS AMERICAN VALUES. The American Red cross has since 1881 been serving people in need. It has served and continues to serve the men and women that protect the freedoms and values that make America great. It provides care for people affected by disasters, collects, processes and distributes lifesaving blood, provides health and safety education including international relief and development. Its donors, volunteers and supporters work hard to ensure vulnerable communities get back on their feet and become self-reliant and it does this without bias providing equal opportunity.

The Red cross principles and mission collide with American values, values that Presidents Day in a sense celebrates.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Do you believe in the capacity of people to do great things? If you do; Join the Red Cross, let’s work together towards making sure vulnerable communities regain their Self Reliance.

Story By: Nnamdi Nnoli