The 7 Tallest Dams in America

If you’re a fan of engineering feats, it probably doesn’t surprise you that some great American dams don’t just restrict the flow of water, but also act as major tourist attractions. Just think of the Hoover Dam, for example, which draws an estimated 1 million visitors annually.

But why are we so fascinated by dams? For some, it’s their sheer industrial prowess — they have the power to manipulate the world’s waters and generate vital electricity and drinking water. For others, it’s the history of dams and how even primitive societies implemented them that makes the study such a worthwhile one. No matter why you love dams, you’ll find that the U.S. has plenty, and these are the tallest ones:

  1. Oroville Dam: 770 Feet — Thousands of eager construction workers flocked to Northern California during the 1960s to aid in the construction of the Oroville Dam, then the largest earth-filled damn in the world. But what makes Oroville so appealing to dam enthusiasts is its sheer size. Indeed, the dam is the tallest one in the U.S., towering at nearly 800 feet, and is used for water supply, electricity generation, and flood control. In addition, it impounds Lake Oroville, which is the second-largest manmade lake in California.
  2. Hoover Dam: 726.6 Feet — If the Hoover Dam is only the second-tallest dam in the U.S. (it’s shorter than Oroville by about 43 feet), then why is it the most famous? With the help of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, workers built the equivalent 60-story structure in 1935. At the time, it was the tallest dam in the world. It created America’s largest reservoir, providing drinking water to millions of Americans. The dam is something of an American icon and a symbol of its great engineering achievements.
  3. Dworshak Dam: 717 Feet — Even though the Dworshak is the third-tallest in the United States, it is the tallest straight-axis concrete dam in the entire Western Hemisphere! Located in Clearwater River, Idaho, this dam is unique because unlike its more famous and common contemporaries, it features a straight design rather than a curved one. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Dworshak in 1966 for flood control purposes, but it has been used since 1973 to generate electricity.
  4. Glen Canyon Dam: 710 Feet — If scenic dams are what you’re after, a visit to Glen Canyon is in order. This 710-foot dam rises out of the rusty sandstone walls of the canyon, harnessing the power of the Colorado River. The Glen Canyon Dam is the second highest concrete-arch dam in the U.S., second only to the Hoover Dam. It contains eight hydroelectric generators with a capacity of 1,320 megawatts! But Glen Canyon wasn’t built without controversy. Environmentalists vehemently opposed the project because it sits inside the federally protected Dinosaur National Monument.
  5. New Bullards Bar Dam: 645 feet — This Yuba County, California dam isn’t just one of the world’s tallest dams; it’s also responsible for the creation of the New Bullards bar Reservoir, a large reservoir that holds nearly 100,000 acre-feet of water. The Yuba County Water Agency constructed the existing dam in 1969, but it’s actually the fourth on the same site.
  6. New Melones Dam: 625 Feet — Forming the scenic New Melones Lake, the New Melones Dam near Jamestown, California is responsible for the state’s fourth largest reservoir. This embankment dam is particularly unique due to its construction with earth and rock. This dam’s history is fraught with controversy, though. Environmentalists and river recreationalists vehemently opposed the project, but eventually compromised by limiting the amount of water the dam could hold.
  7. Mossyrock Dam: 184.7 — The tallest dam in Washington, Mossyrock Dam creates the Riffe Lake reservoir and supplies 50 percent of Tacoma Power’s electricity. The concrete arch-gravity dam cost the City of Tacoma some $117 billion during construction in the 1960s, but it allowed the city to stop importing energy from nearby Seattle. Controversy abounded here, too; the dam’s construction displaced the people of several towns nearby.

​History of Alcatraz: America’s Most Haunted Prison

Sometimes, it’s the place that dictates the story. To diehard spirit-seekers, Alcatraz ranks at the top of the list of the world’s most haunted prisons. From the coin-operated tower viewers at Fisherman’s Wharf to Ghirardelli Square, Alcatraz looks calm, inviting even. But when you get up-close and personal with the history of Alcatraz, a different story emerges.

Alcatraz: From a Military Garrison to a Legendary Prison

An old map of Alcatraz Island. Reprinted from A History of Alcatraz Island since 1853

Although the most legendary Alcatraz jailbirds occupied the island between 1934 and 1963 — including “Scarface” gangster Al Capone and murderer Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz” — its story began much earlier. In 1775, a Spanish explorer named the rugged island La Isla de los Alcatraces, or Island of the Pelicans.  Three quarters of a century later, President Millard Fillmore transferred the island to the American military, and it became home to the first operational lighthouse on the West Coast.

Due to its fortress-like appeal, Alcatraz quickly became regarded as a secure location to store cannons, military ammunition, and dangerous criminals. As early as 1861, the military used Alcatraz Island to house prisoners of war from the Civil War. By 1906, San Francisco and the state of California used the island to lock away civilian prisoners, but it didn’t become the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary until it was acquired by the United States Department of Justice in 1933.

During its 29 years in use, Alcatraz held some of the most notorious American criminals, including Capone, Stroud, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Bumpy Johnson. Even though the prison sits on an old military fortress surrounded by ice-cold water, several prisoners attempted to escape Alcatraz with no luck.

The notoriously successful escapees Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin managed to break out of the impenetrable prison, but they were never seen again. It is believed that they drowned in the rough waters surrounding the San Francisco Bay.

The Legendary Ghosts Still Behind Bars 

With all of these harrowing tales and fascinating legends, the island is popular with ghost-hunters, who look to connect with some of the most infamous departed souls on The Rock. Learn more about these ghosts in Ghosts and Legends of Alcatraz.

  • The Ghost Woman of Alcatraz — In 2014, a British couple on a tour of the island captured a photo of a ghostly woman whom they dubbed The Ghost Woman of Alcatraz. The couple claims they had no intention of capturing photos of spirits during their trip, and only noticed the woman — who appears to be staring knowingly directly into the camera’s lens — after they snapped the shot.
  • Warden James Johnston — The first warden of Alcatraz, James A. Johnson, reportedly heard and saw many strange sounds and sights during his time patrolling the prison, indicating that the ghosts that still linger in the blocks may be from its time as a military prison or even before. Johnson reportedly heard a woman sobbing while conducting a tour of the prison in its heyday.
  • Native American Ghosts — Some ghost-hunters and spirit-seekers believe that they have interacted with ghosts from Alcatraz’s earliest days. In fact, some believe that Native American prisoners who perished during the Civil War still haunt the prison, reporting whispering and moaning sounds at night and claiming to see floating blue lights and figures. Some even report hearing the clanking of prison chains.
  • Al Capone’s Banjo — Legend has it that Al Capone spent many of his last days at Alcatraz strumming his guitar in the shower room; the guards granted him permission to play there rather than put himself at risk in the prison yard. Now, some visitors of the prison report hearing the sounds of a far-off banjo strumming throughout the prison.
  • Cell 14-D — Paranormal-seekers believe that the D-Block section of Alcatraz is the most haunted. It includes cell 14-D, which served as “The Hole,” a place of punishment for particularly difficult prisoners. Visitors report that cell 14-D is always freezing cold, even during the summer, and that it elicits a feeling of sudden intensity. People also believe ghosts linger in cells 11, 12, and 13 of D-Block.

​Classic Cookbooks That Define American Cuisine

When you think of classic American cookbooks, there’s a good chance that the ones you consider essential parts of the American cooking canon aren’t American at all. After all, American cuisine gets its flavor, shape, and spirit from other corners of the globe. From the peppered mangoes of the (very) early Austin food scene to the lobster rolls of New England, America’s culinary history is as rich and delicious as they come, all thanks to these classic culinary books.

“Better Homes New Cookbook”: The Red and White Checkered One 

Go ahead and Google the “Better Homes New Cook Book.” There’s a good chance you’ll instantly recognize this classic! It features the iconic red and white checked cover and contains all kinds of staples that your mom and grandmother probably once whipped up. Better Homes and Gardens originally published the cookbook in 1930, selling 40 million copies. In 2016, the magazine debuted the 16th edition. Although the dishes inside undoubtedly changed the way Americans cooked at home, this cookbook was revolutionary for another purpose. Home chefs loved its famous ring binding, which allowed them to lay the book flat for easy reference while cooking. It also included blank pages in the back for sharing and recording recipes.

“Larousse Gastronomique”: The Encyclopedia of French Food

Thanks to French food legends like Julia Child and “Larousse Gastronomique” author Prosper Montagné, traditional French cooking certainly shaped new American cuisine. Montagné wrote the staple cookbook in 1938, but it didn’t become a favorite among Americans until Crown Publishers released an English translation in 1961. It took 20 culinary experts over three years to convert the heavy French cooking encyclopedia to English, poring over measurements, descriptions, and ingredients.

“Mastering the Art of French Cooking”: French Cooking for Americans

“Mastering the Art of French Cooking” by Julia Child is one of the most famous cookbooks in history; it has inspired novels, movies, restaurants, and thousands of spinoff cookbooks. Child published the influential mainstay in 1961, effectively introducing an American audience to French staples like beef bourguignon and cassoulet.

But what made Child’s approach to French cooking different than all the rest was her ability to make it practical for the American kitchen of the 1960s. Historians say that the cookbook made American cooks more comfortable with loftier dishes and made French cooking less intimidating. Since its debut, Child has sold over 4 million copies of “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” and publishers have never let it go out of print.

“Joy of Cooking”: Irma von Starkloff Rombauer’s Best-Seller

Legend has it that in 1931, widow Irma S. Rombauer threw together a collection of her favorite recipes in an anthology, the now-canonized “Joy of Cooking.” Rombauer was a second-generation German immigrant born in St. Louis and populated her cookbook with recipes collected from her mother. Readers loved Rombauer’s approach to casual culinary cuisine and reveled in her support of shortcuts. With eight editions, “Joy of Cooking” offers home chefs the unique opportunity to pursue high-brow classics (steak tartare and lobster canapé) as well as easy, approachable mainstays (hamburgers and meatloaf). Publishers revamped the book in 2006 for a special 75th anniversary edition that reinstated some of the original recipes, cocktails, and stories written by Rombauer in the original 1931 version.

“The Taste of Country Cooking”: The Southern Cooking Bible

When you look at the history of Southern food, you’ll see the name of one African-American chef emerge again and again: Edna Lewis. The granddaughter of an emancipated slave, Lewis penned the foremost reference on classic Southern cooking in 1976, “The Taste of Country Cooking.” Inside, Lewis details how to whip up all-American staples like Virginia fried chicken, blackberry cobbler, and buttered green beans. But what’s so unique about Lewis’s take on Southern food is that it’s not only practical but endlessly entertaining. Each chapter has a theme: “A Busy-Day Summer Dinner,” “Fall Breakfast Before a Day of Hunting,” and “A Dinner Celebrating the Last of the Barnyard Fowl,” just to name a few. It uses seasonal ingredients and happenings to create a year-long journal of hearty meals and special occasions.

Boston Boxing: The Prizefighting Immortals of Beantown

Boston: Home to clam chowder, cream pie, lager, baked beans and boxing. The Northeast center rose to prominence as a boxing hub way back in the late 1800s, and has since birthed some of the ring’s greats. In the sport’s earliest days, Boston boxers practiced prizefighting or bare-knuckle boxing, and it was during this period that boxing shifted from an illegal and dangerous pastime to one that the masses adored.

The rise to boxing city legend wasn’t easy for Boston, however. Some of the earliest Beantown boxers were mobsters, gangsters, and cheats, according to historian Kevin Smith. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the legends who left their legacy on the sport in a positive way.

For more fascinating Boston boxing legends, make sure to grab a copy of “Boston’s Boxing Heritage: Prizefighting from 1882-1955” by Kevin Smith.

  1. The Boston Strong Boy — Otherwise known as John L. Sullivan, the Boston Strong Boy hailed from Roxbury, a neighborhood within the city. The Irish-American boxer became one of the earliest gloved boxing champs; in fact, he’s recognized as the very first heavyweight champ of that style. Sullivan’s tenure marks a transition in Boston boxing from bare-knuckle to gloved boxing, as he was also the last heavyweight champ of bare-knuckle boxing. Sullivan held the title of heavyweight champion from 1882 to 1892.
  2. George “Little Chocolate” Dixon — Known for his small stature, Canadian boxer George Dixon delighted prizefighting fans in the late 1800s. Dixon was the first black world boxing champion in any weight class, earning the Bantamweight Championship title on May 10, 1888. Boxing fans can visit Dixon’s grave at Mount Hope Cemetery in Boston.
  3. Barbados Joe Walcott — Nicknamed “The Barbados Demon,” Barbadian boxer Joe Walcott claimed the World Welterweight Championship title for five years, from 1901 to 1906. After getting a job on a sailing vessel that landed in Boston, Walcott made Beantown home and trained in a local gym before eventually becoming professional. Contemporary boxer Jersey Joe Walcott took his stage name from his boxing hero, Barbados Joe Walcott.
  4. William “Honey” Mellody — Born in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1884, William Mellody made a mark on Boston’s boxing scene early on. He fought throughout the Boston area before turning professional, and notably sparred with Irish boxer Martin Canole at the Bowdoin Square Athletic Club in Boston in 1902. Mellody claimed the World “White” Championship in 1904, and the World Welterweight Championship against Joe Walcott shortly thereafter.
  5. Sam “The Boston Tar Baby” Langford — Otherwise known as the Boston Terror or the Boston Bonecrusher, Sam Langford undoubtedly earned his place as one of Boston’s most legendary boxers. Born in Nova Scotia, Langford relocated to Boston to face some of the best boxers in the world. Interestingly, Langford claimed titles across many weight classes, from lightweight to heavyweight, defeating many world champions. Among his 180 wins are the World Heavyweight Championship and the World “Colored” Heavyweight title.
  6. Jack “The Boston Gob” Sharkey — A one-time fisherman from Binghamton, Sharkey moved to Boston as a young man. Sharkey learned to box during his time in the Navy, and started fighting professionally after being honorably discharged. During his professional career, The Boston Gob nabbed 38 wins, including the World Heavyweight Championship title.
  7. Rocky Marciano — We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano in our list of Boston legends, whether boxing or otherwise. Born in nearby Brockton — just 25 miles south of Boston — in 1923, the Brockton Blockbuster cut his teeth against some of The Bay State’s greatest boxers. Marciano became the only heavyweight champion to retire with an undefeated record, and was later immortalized by Sylvester Stallone in the classic Rocky movies.
  8. Marvelous Marvin Hagler — Contemporary boxer Marvin Hagler has his prizefighting predecessors to thank for his success. Like Rocky, Hagler hails from Brockton, but had the distinct advantage of training at a local gym under legendary boxing manager Goody Petronelli. During his career, Hagler earned the title as the undisputed middleweight champion during the 1980s. He earned 12 champion wins during that period, and still holds the highest knockout percentage of all middleweight champs.

Celebrating the Timeless Values and Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King

When you think of Martin Luther King, what are the first things that spring to mind? If you’re like most, you think of someone who made the world a better place, not just for people of color but for all people. You picture someone whose very name is synonymous with concepts like courage, justice, and love. Of course, you think of that incredible “I Have a Dream” speech and everything that it stood for and still does stand for today.

Here we’ll take a closer look at the true meaning of Martin Luther King Day and consider some ways you can help make that day more than just a day off from work. We’ll reflect on some of the most important things he taught us and look at some little-known facts you may not have known about Dr. King.

The Origins of Martin Luther King Day

It goes without saying that Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. Not only was he a prime mover in the ongoing push to end segregation in America, but he was a major advocate for using non-violent protest to instigate change. For those reasons and many others, Martin Luther King became the youngest man ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at only 35 years old.

When he was assassinated in 1968, it wasn’t long before a campaign was initiated to turn his birthday into a national holiday as a way to honor everything that he’d accomplished. Eventually, the bill was officially introduced, and the campaign was led by various trade unions. It would be officially endorsed in 1976 and made into an official law in 1986. However, it would take until the year 2000 for Martin Luther King Day to be observed in all 50 U.S. states.

Today, it is a federal holiday that is observed by everyone. Most government departments will be closed on that day, as will many larger corporations. A growing number of smaller businesses are choosing to close their doors to honor the day as well, although many do remain open. In the year 2017, Martin Luther King Day will take place on Monday, January 18th.

10 Important Values Martin Luther King Lived (and Died) By

Non-Violence

Martin Luther King believed strongly in the wrongness of all forms of violence, and he stood by those beliefs in a way that’s truly inspiring. Even when he was brutally beaten and attacked by way of police dogs, water hoses, and more, he refused to react or retaliate in a violent way. 

Justice

Martin Luther King is famously quoted as saying he’d like to go down in history as a “drum major for justice.” He believed in justice as a far-reaching concept, meaning if it existed in one place or aspect of society, it existed in all of them. He also believed that it is the duty of righteous people to confront injustice when and where they find it. 

Courage

Dr. Martin Luther King was nothing if not astonishingly brave. He believed that until you have something you’re willing to die for, you have nothing to live for. Of course, he proved true to his word and, in doing so, taught us the true meaning of integrity. 

Love

King wasn’t just an activist. He was also a Baptist minister who believed strongly in the teachings of the Bible, particularly the part that tells us to “love thy neighbor.” King famously referred to even his worst enemies as neighbors, and he firmly believed that the best way to change minds and hearts was with love. 

Forgiveness

On a similar note, Martin Luther King believed in the importance of forgiving those who wrong us, even in the face of the worst injustices. To him, it was the only way to make room for true brotherhood. 

Sacrifice

Martin Luther King understood that it’s never easy to stand up to injustice. He knew that it takes sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the greater good. He also proved himself unafraid to do exactly that in the pursuit of his cause. 

Faith

King believed in a universe created by a loving God that operated on a system of justice. For that reason, he also strongly believed that truth, love, and justice would always prevail in the end. 

Soul

King believed that a person’s love and inherent humanity is powerful enough to awaken other people’s consciences. He also believed that this is a power each and every one of us not only possesses but should use in pursuit of the greater good. 

Community

In the eyes of Martin Luther King, humans were not separate beings who are unconnected to one another. According to him, we are all brothers and sisters. For that reason, he also believed an injustice against any one of us hurts the entire human family on a larger scale.

He also believed in a concept known as “beloved community” that included each and every human. He hoped that one day, people of all creeds, colors, and backgrounds would be able to see each other as family, sitting down together at the “table of brotherhood.”

Dignity

Last, but certainly not least, Martin Luther King believed that every human being deserves to be treated with respect and absolute dignity for no other reason than that they are human beings.

As we know, Dr. King found the idea of determining a given person’s worth by the color of their skin to be ludicrous. He believed true worth was, and still is, determined by a given person’s willingness to make the world a better place for every man, woman, and child.

How will you honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King this January 18th? How can you stand to better reflect the timeless values he represented? How will you do your part to help bring King’s vision of universal brotherhood to eventual fruition?

10 Interesting Things You May Not Have Known about Martin Luther King

Most of us know the basics of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. For instance, we know that he was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929, and that he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. We know that he was a dedicated Baptist minister who made astonishing strides when it comes to social justice during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. We may even have a snippet or two of his most famous speeches memorized.

Even so, there’s still quite a bit most of us have never heard about this fearless man. Did you know the following facts?

Martin Luther King was not his birth name.

King was born Michael King Jr. However, his father (who was a pastor) would eventually travel to Germany and gain inspiration from the great Protestant leader, Martin Luther. Dr. King Sr. was so inspired, in fact, that he not only changed his own name but the name of his young son as well. 

King was an incredibly gifted student.

Martin Luther King was so gifted that he skipped grades 9-12. As a result, he wound up enrolling at Morehouse College to study when he was only 15 years old. King’s father and grandfather attended the same school. 

King held a doctorate in systematic theology.

King would receive his Ph.D. degree in 1955 at Boston University. The degree was in systematic theology, and his dissertation compared the thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman in regards to God. 

“I Have a Dream” wasn’t his first speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

Six years prior to that game-changing speech, King spoke during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom in 1957. The speech was on the topic of voting rights and was delivered to between 15,000 and 30,000 people. 

King went to jail nearly 30 times.  

Dr. King went to jail 29 times. Many of the arrests were for civil disobedience, while others were based on completely trumped-up charges meant to suppress his agenda. The time he was thrown in jail in Montgomery, Alabama for driving 30 mph in a 25 mph zone is a perfect example of an unfair arrest. 

King survived the first attempt on his life.

In 1958, a woman named Izola Ware Curry tried to assassinate King during a book signing by plunging a letter opener into his chest. He would survive after hours of delicate surgery and weeks of convalescence. He would also underscore his dedication to non-violence and forgiveness by publically stating he felt no ill will toward Curry. 

His final speech appeared to foretell his death.

The night before he was assassinated, King had this to say to an audience gathered at Mason Temple Church in Memphis:

“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now … I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

Many feel that was him foretelling his very own death the following day.

Quote from Dr Martin Luther King

King’s family felt his assassination wasn’t a one-man job.

King’s widow, Coretta, was certain that James Earl Ray had not acted alone. She believed that the government, as well as the Mafia, were also involved and praised a 1999 civil trial jury ruling that said there was indeed a conspiracy at play. A 2000 Department of Justice investigation release would later state there was no evidence of a conspiracy. 

King’s mother was also assassinated.

Martin Luther King’s mother would later also die by the bullet. It happened in 1974 when a parishioner would open fire during a church service where Alberta Williams King was playing the organ. The shooter claimed he had received instruction from God to kill King’s father, instead, but went for his mother at the last minute because she was closer. 

Martin Luther King is one of only two people whose birthday is a national holiday.

The other person is George Washington.

4 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day

This year, consider doing something special to honor the memory of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Get your family, friends, and children involved as well, so you can celebrate together.

Study his life and work.

What better way to honor the principles that King stood for than by reading up on his life and the wonderful work he did? Visit your local library and check out a biography about his life or spend some time on one of the many websites dedicated to his speeches, work, and accomplishments. You can even take things further by reading up on the history, accomplishments, and struggles of African-Americans and other minorities. 

Participate in a peace walk.

Did you know that every year on Martin Luther King Day, many American cities commemorate the day with a peace walk? Find out whether or not your town or a nearby city will be one of them. Participate along with your family and friends, if possible. 

Participate in the National Day of Service.

The National Day of Service is all about furthering the work of Dr. King by strengthening communities, empowering individuals, and breaking down various social barriers. Look into ways you can get involved and peruse further information at the official website

Attend a dedicated church service or another event.

King’s strong Christian beliefs were a huge part of who he was and how he lived his life. For that reason, many churches across the nation hold special services to honor his memory on Martin Luther King Day. Even if you’re aren’t religiously inclined, consider attending. It can be a surprisingly wonderful way to honor the day. If you’re not religious, you might be interested to know that many cities also hold non-religious community events to celebrate his life and his vision for the world.

Of course, these are just a few of the many ways you can make Martin Luther King Day special this year. Don’t be afraid to come up with your own ideas and share them with your family, friends, and social circles.

5 Meaningful Way to Honor President’s Day This Year

For many, President’s Day is simply a reason to enjoy a long weekend away from the office. For others, it’s a day to hit the mall and check out all the specials their favorite department stores are running. In reality, it should be a day to honor those that have led our country over the past 200+ years, especially George Washington, as President’s Day is the federal celebration of his birthday.

This year, consider celebrating President’s Day properly by making it a day to pay your respects to our finest presidents and to honor everything they stood for. The following are just a few great ideas to get you started.

1. Prepare a president-inspired meal.

Officially speaking, President’s Day is the national celebration of George Washington’s birthday, and every proper birthday celebration calls for good food. Consider planning a menu that includes some of his favorites.

Fish is an excellent choice for your main course, as Washington was said to be “excessively fond” of it. Martha Washington was also an accomplished baker. Consider choosing one of her many favorite dishes for dessert. Examples include macaroons, marzipan, spice cake, and fruit pies of all types.

Alternatively, you can try a Lincoln-inspired meal, as his February birthday is also considered to be part of what you celebrate on President’s Day. Lincoln spent his early years in a log cabin, so it’s likely that he enjoyed foods traditionally enjoyed in the Kentucky frontier. Examples include venison, bacon, eggs, and gingerbread.

2. Start a self-improvement plan based on presidential values.

Part of what we celebrate on President’s Day is the strength of character great men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln demonstrated over the course of their lives. What better way to honor that than by vowing to develop stronger characters ourselves?

Sit down with your family and choose some ways you can improve, both together and separately. Have each person list one or two of their own character flaws and state how they plan on correcting them. The rest of the group can respond by sharing how they plan to help.

3. Spend some time outside enjoying Mother Nature.

Washington famously worked outdoors as a surveyor in the Virginia wilderness. Consider honoring that part of his life by spending President’s Day enjoying the natural world around you just as he did. Pack a picnic and enjoy it outdoors with your family at your favorite park. Spend some time on your favorite hiking trail or visit your favorite natural area and take some pictures.

If you have access to a lake, river, or ocean, consider taking a swim or a kayak ride in honor of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. Even starting your day with a walk around the block is a great way to celebrate.


4. Spend some time curled up with an appropriate book.

If it’s too chilly to spend time outside on President’s Day where you live, consider adding some substance to a day indoors with an appropriate read. Honor Lincoln’s iconic role as the Great Emancipator with a collection of his most famous speeches. Alternatively, you can read up on the history of slavery in America, on African-American history, or on race relations in America in general.

You can also read up on any one of America’s great national parks and plan a visit in the year to come, as they’re the perfect places to really understand the magnitude and beauty of America. Not sure which park to pick? Start with Yellowstone, America’s first national park.

5. Write a letter to the President of the United States.

This is an especially great activity for children and families to do together, as it’s a great way to get young people thinking about important issues in the country they call home. It’s also a wonderful way for younger children to practice and develop essential writing skills.

Ask each child to name something they’d like to see change in America. What do they think is unfair about living in the United States and why do they feel it’s important that it change? Also, ask them to name something they think is wonderful about life in America. Then help them write a respectful letter to the current president that expresses both of those things.

Of course, these are just a few suggestions as to how you and your family can best honor the spirit of President’s Day this year. Don’t be afraid to come up with even more creative, meaningful ideas of your own.