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Here is your Good Day Columbia GDC Morning WACH for 2-20-12:

Happy Presidents Day!  As we celebrated the day set aside for the 44 men who have lead the free world, we also found all kinds of interesting facts.  For instance, did you know that it really isn’t President’s Day?

Did you know that this federal holiday is actually called Washington’s Birthday? Through the 1960s, Americans celebrated both Washington’s Birthday and Lincoln’s Birthday in the month of February. Then, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved the observance of Washington’s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February. The original plan was to combine it with Lincoln’s Birthday and rename it President’s Day, but that part of the bill never passed.

Just for fun, here are a few more:

• At his inauguration, George Washington only had one tooth. Contrary to popular belief, he never wore false wooden teeth. However, at various times he did wear dentures made of human teeth, animal teeth, ivory and lead.
• Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were the only two presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence. They also both died on the same day – July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the signing.
• James Madison was the first president to wear trousers, as opposed to knee length "breeches." At 5' 4", he was also the shortest president. 
• Weather permitting, John Quincy Adams swam nude in the Potomac River every day.   
• While he was President, Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for driving his horse too fast and fined $20. He smoked 20 cigars a day and died of throat cancer.
• Calvin Coolidge liked having his head massaged with Vaseline during breakfast in bed. He also rode his own mechanical bull and played "ding-dong ditch'em" - he would ring the White House doorbell and then run and hide.
• Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, was present at the assassinations of three Presidents: his father's, President Garfield's and President McKinley's. 
• All Presidents receive  code names from the Secret Service.  Ronald Reagan was 'Rawhide', George H. W. Bush was 'Timberwolf', Bill Clinton was 'Eagle', George W. Bush was 'Trailblazer' and Barack Obama is 'Renegade'.

Also, we wanted you to know some great news, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month, former SC State and New York Giants standout Harry Carson was among 11 players and coaches from historical black colleges and universities inducted into the Black College Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Saturday.

This was Carson’s second award in recent week, as he was also recognized as “Man of the Year” by the Walter Camp Football Foundation at Harvard.

It was another jam packed guest list, including our regular visit with etiquette expert Gerald Glascock, who brought along tips on how to comport yourself during job interviews.  You can see his tips and appearance on the show HERE.

If you are a fan of live theater, you can check out The King and I a production by the Village Square Theater in Lexington.  The show runs through March 4, with weekend performances including matinees.  You can get all the information on this production and upcoming plays at the theater by checking out their WEBSITE.  Want to meet the King and the director? Check out their time on the GDC couch HERE.

How many pounds of sugar do you eat in a year?  Would you believe that the average American consumes 170 pounds annually?  That is one great big sweet tooth!  According to Christie Sequin, the sugar we eat has many harmful affects; including making us age before our time.  Check out her thoughts by putting down the doughnut and clicking HERE.

Breast cancer survivor and co-founder of the Pink Posse Philes Bren Miller joined us to invite everyone to their fund raising breakfast at the Broad River Fatz Café on February 25.  Tickets for the event are $7, and the proceeds benefit cancer patients here in the Midlands.  You can learn more about the Pink Posse Philes at their WEBSITE, and hear more straight from one of the Phillies mouths, HERE.

As always, GDC is looking for your input!  Please send story ideas, if you are in looking for exposure for a community event you are involved with, or would like a cast member to speak at your civic group, school, or activity, EMAIL us!  We are part of the community!!