President’s Day: 10 Presidential Visits to Worcester
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Monday, February 16, 2015
GoLocal Worcester News Team
Today is President's Day. In honor of the birthdays of the first President of the United States, George Washington, and the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, the name 'President's Day' was official in 1971.
In 1968, combining the presidents' birthdays and making it one national holiday was originally rejected by Congress. However, by the early 1970s, retailers used the term 'President's Day' to promote sales. Today, George Washington's birthday marks President's Day in the U.S.
GoLocal Worcester has to put together a list of Presidents who have visited the city to make speeches, tour the area, or pass through on their campaign trail.
From President Washington to President Obama, Worcester has been visited by 10 Presidents.
Here are the 10 Presidential Visits to Worcester:
Related Slideshow: Presidential Visits to Worcester
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George Washington
Year: 1775
Reason for Visit: Passed through Worcester on his way to take command of the Continental Army.
Notes: In 1782, Washington returned to Worcester County on his Inaugural Tour of New England. He stayed at Samuel Taft's Tavern (now the Taft House) in Uxbridge.
Source: Vitality Magazine
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John Quincy Adams
Year: 1826
Reason for Visit: Meet with Governor Levi Lincoln Jr. (Worcester's first mayor).
Notes: Lincoln and Adams attended a cattle show.
Source: Vitality Magazine
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Teddy Roosevelt
Year: 1900
Reason for Visit: Attended Commencement at College of the Holy Cross
Notes: Also visited Fitchburg in 1902 to give a speech.
Source: Vitality Magazine
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William Taft
Year: 1914
Reason for Visit: Attended Trainman's Convention
Notes: Like Washington, Taft also stayed at Samuel Taft's Tavern in Uxbridge.
Source: Vitality Magazine
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Franklin D. Roosevelt
Year: 1934
Reason for Visit: Presidential Special train stopped at Union Station. President Roosevelt slept in the train while it was parked at Union Station.
Notes: Also visited Worcester in 1936, 1940 and 1944 on the campaign trail.
Source: Vitality Magazine
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Lyndon Johnson
Year: 1964
Reason for Visit: Delivered College of the Holy Cross Commencement Speech
Notes: John F. Kennedy was originally scheduled to make the speech, but was assasinated in November 1963. President Johnson agreed to make the speech in his place to honor President Kennedy.
Source: College of the Holy Cross
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Jimmy Carter
Year: 1977
Reason for Visit: Stayed at a private residence in Clinton during his "Getting to Know the People" campaign
Notes: Gave Speech in Clinton on the day before Saint Patrick's Day
Source: Vitality Magazine
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Bill Clinton
Year: 1999
Reason for Visit: President Clinton spoke at Memorial Service for the six Worcester firefighters that perished in the Worcester Cold Storage fire.
Notes: Clinton also came to Worcester in 1998 and spoke at Mechanics Hall.
Source: Vitality Magazine
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Barack Obama
Year: 2014
Reason for Visit: Worcester Technical High School Commencement Address
Notes:
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