Washington has a holiday, Lincoln has a holiday (both thrown in together as Presidents Day.) Why didn’t Thomas Jefferson get a federal holiday?
Would you settle for Jefferson DAVIS and Mississippi instead of Federal?
Of course, this is quickly going to become a debate but that’s the nature of this question:
What did Jefferson do to derserve a day? The Louisiana Purchase? He wanted to purchase a different territory than he got (if memory serves) so he can’t get credit for that. The economic-disaster that was the embargo? Oh yeah, and he did try to deny valid judicial appointments made by Adams, for political reason. Thats just looking at his presidency, I can’t recall anything really dazzling. He’s on a mountain already, isn’t that enough?.
Regarding his Founding days, although he did draft the Declaration of Independence, he also had no role in framing the current government, and actually opposed ratification.
Basically I think Jefferson’s role in American history has been somewhat exagerrated.
I’d rather Hamilton or Franklin get a day than Jefferson, but that’s just me.
Jefferson was responsible for the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom, the direct percursor of the “No Establishment” and “Free Exercise Thereof” clauses in the First Amendment. That alone makes him one of the greatest Americans ever.
'Cuz if every president got their own day, then people would just vote for the ones whose birthdays made for the best 3-day weekends.
If you were born on January 2, you’d be a shoo-in! 
Seriously, I think that’s why President’s Day was invented. It was put near the two president’s birthdays that were observed (i.e., in February), and designated to be for all presidents.
I can already imagine Al Sharpton mobilizing his protest if Jefferson or any slaveholder received a holiday. (I’m assuming you’re referring to Thomas Jefferson; now George Jefferson might be more popular.)
I would think there would be objections today for a Jefferson holiday. But I was wondering why there was not already one. I know that Washington and Lincoln’s birthday have been celebrated for a long time. When I was young we got those days off from school.So why in the past did no one want a Jefferson day? Granted he owned slaves, so did Washington, he still has alot to do with the founding of this country, its constitution, religious freedoms, size of the land(Louisiana Purchase) and as a figurehead of a new nation.
I would like to add that I am in no way proposing a new holiday, I was wondeering why there was not already one.
I’ll bet the American Ronald Reagan Recognition Group (ARRRG) is already jockeying to have us all celebrate a National Ronnie Day.
You forgot one of TJ’s most vital contributions. He started the first undeclared war in American history (Barbary pirates). This from a man who thought the federal government should be weaker (until he became president, of course).
And, oh yeah, he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
FIfteen Iguana