Ohio Names November 19 “James A. Garfield Day”

On October 12, 2023, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill making November 19 "James A. Garfield Day" in Ohio. James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, was born on November 19, 1831, in Orange Township — now Moreland Hills — Ohio.

Governor DeWine, Garfield's descendants and other dignitaries at the ceremonial bill signing. Image from the National Park Service's article on James A. Garfield Day.

The ceremony

On October 18, 2023, Governor DeWine held a ceremonial signing at the state capitol in Columbus. Todd Arrington, site manager of James A. Garfield National Historic Site, traveled to attend, as did three generations of Garfield descendants, all living in the Cleveland area.

The bill passed with support from both parties: State Representatives Dan Troy (D) and Jamie Callender (R) championed it in the Ohio House, and State Senator Jerry Cirino (R) in the Ohio Senate.

"We're thrilled by this designation and appreciate our state elected officials supporting it," Arrington said. "President Garfield was a son of northeast Ohio who accomplished much in just 49 years of life. He was a teacher, abolitionist, Union general in the Civil War, longtime member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and President of the United States. His assassination just a few months into his term robbed the nation of what was shaping up to be an important and impactful presidency."

The historic site

James A. Garfield National Historic Site, in Mentor, Ohio, about 25 miles east of Cleveland, tells the story of Garfield's life, career, family and legacy. It preserves two firsts:

• the site of the nation's first "front porch" presidential campaign;
• the first presidential memorial library, which later inspired the larger presidential library idea.

The site is at nps.gov/jaga and on social media as @GarfieldNPS.

Sources

Based on "November 19 is now 'James A. Garfield Day' in Ohio," James A. Garfield National Historic Site, National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain.