Happy Presidents Day

President’s Day is often understood to be a combined observation of the birthdays of the American Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But some consider it a time to remember and celebrate all U.S. Presidents - so I’m going to honor Richard M. Nixon, 37th President.

Best Nixon movie: Millhouse: A White Comedy, by Emile de Antonio, 1971

Best Nixon song: Young Americans, by David Bowie, 1975

Best Nixon speech: Gubernatorial Concession Speech, 1962

Best Nixon quote: “When the President does it, that means that it’s not illegal.” 1977

Best Nixon watch: The Nixon Chronicle (with the faux wood face), circa 2009 

Top Image: Vice President Nixon, photographed by Philippe Halsman for his Jump series

Second Image: Chris Buck echoes the great one, on a visit to the Nixon Library and Birthplace.

Third Image: Michelle Golden engages Anwar Sadat and Golda Meir at the Nixon Library and Birthplace. (It was here, at the library that the idea of marriage first came up between us; when we passed a gazebo I joked that we could get married here one day.)

Bottom Image:  President Nixon’s private wine stock at the 21 Club in New York. Upon the evening of our engagement Michelle and I asked for a tour of their wine cellars. They were very nice about the tour but refused to let us taste Nixon’s wine, even though he had been dead for nine years.