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George Washington's 230th Birthday Passes Quietly

Feb. 22, 1962 - George Washington’s 230th birthday was observed quietly in the capital today. At the Capitol there was the traditional reading of Washington’s Farewell Address, but few members of Congress were on hand to hear it. Fewer than a dozen were in the Senate when Senator Jennings Randolph, Democrat of West Virginia, started the 68-minute address. In the House, where it was read by Rep. J. Edward Roush, Democrat of Indiana, about 35 of the 435 House members were present. Wreaths were laid at the base of the Washington Monument by patriotic groups. Retired Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grand 3d delivered a eulogy before a gathering of about 150 persons. Mount Vernon, Washington’s home, was the scene of other pilgrimages. The highlight there was the re-enactment of the retirement of the first President to his home — four white horses pulling a carriage with Washington and his wife to the entrance. Several wreaths were placed on Washington’s tomb at Mount Vernon, including one from President Kennedy that was placed by the President’s naval aide, Capt. Tazewell T. Shepard Jr.


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