Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday
Celebrated on April 13th every year, Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday is an observance and celebration of the birthday of one of the U.S.’s founding fathers and the third president of the United States.
United States (Observance)While he was born over 274 years ago, this holiday wasn’t officially recognized by Presidential Proclamation until 1938, 195 years after Thomas Jefferson was born.
Thomas Jefferson’s Biography
Born on April 13, 1743, Thomas Jefferson was one of America’s Founding Fathers, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the first Secretary of State under George Washington, and served as Vice President under John Adams from 1797 to 1801. He served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809.
Thomas Jefferson was a huge advocate of democracy and republicanism and believed strongly in individual rights and religious freedom.
Thomas Jefferson was also interested and fluent in other fields of endeavor. He was a farmer whose main cash crop was tobacco, but he also tried his hand at growing flax, corn, and wheat, as well as raising poultry, hogs, and sheep. He was also interested in ornithology (the study of birds) and oenology (the study of wine and winemaking).
He is renowned for being a gourmet cook and was also a noted naturalist. President Jefferson was also a prolific writer and a noted linguist who spoke several different languages, including English, French, Italian, and Latin. He could also read in those languages, as well as Greek and Spanish.
And as if all of the above wasn’t enough, Thomas Jefferson was also an inventor who invented many new practical devices and improved already existing inventions. He is credited with inventing the improved plow that could plow hillsides and also plowed much deeper than previous plows.
He also invented a macaroni extruder and is credited with inventing not only macaroni but macaroni and cheese as well. He made several improvements to existing dumbwaiters so they could be used to bring wine bottles up from his cellar at Monticello. His other inventions include a folding ladder, a seven-day clock, and a rotating book stand.
Some of his writings include: “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” (1774); “Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” (1775); “Declaration of Independence” (1776); “Plan for Establishing Uniformity in the Coinage, Weights, and Measures of the United States,” a report submitted to Congress (1790); “Manual of Parliamentary Practice for the Use of the Senate of the United States” (1801); and “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” (1819), also known as the Jefferson Bible. On July 4, 1826, Thomas Jefferson died in his bed at Monticello, Virginia.
History of Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday
Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday was established by Presidential Proclamation 2276 by Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 21, 1938. In 2007, George W. Bush issued another proclamation, Presidential Proclamation 8124, that commemorated Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday.
Celebrating Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday
On his birthday, community groups and organizations all over the country dedicate events to Thomas Jefferson. This can include public ceremonies, parades, and other activities. Events are also held at schools that highlight this man’s achievements and contributions to the United States.
His birthday can also be celebrated by making a trip to his plantation in Virginia: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Those of you who want to do something to celebrate his birthday that is a little closer to home can spend the day reading one of his many written works or learning more about the man himself.
Conclusion
Taking time out of your busy schedule to honor Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday is something that every American should do. Thomas Jefferson was a leader, an intellectual, a writer, and a diplomat.
He helped form the American system of government and succinctly wrote the words to the Declaration of Independence—words that continue to inspire Americans generations later. But aside from all that, Thomas Jefferson was also a fascinating character that everyone should take a moment to learn about.
United States (Observance)
