This year, we celebrate Feb. 20 as Presidents Day. Joe Biden brings the number of men remembered by this holiday to 45 (Grover Cleveland having held the office two non-consecutive times).

The holiday was not always so capacious in its object. In 1879, Congress established it to celebrate one president: George Washington. Only in 1971 did the third Monday of February take on the generic remembrance of all chief executives.

We should return to the holiday’s original intent. Not that the office of the presidency deserves no praise. Indeed, the Constitution’s Framers showed distinct genius in creating a republican office once thought reserved for monarchs, one that combined energy and safety in the exercise of executive power. Nor that other great men haven’t occupied the office.

However, Washington holds a special place worthy of a special commemoration. His accomplishments alone vindicate this distinction. He led the colonial forces to victory in the American Revolution, a feat that demonstrated brilliance, resourcefulness, and resilience against great odds. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in the Summer of 1787, whereby the world’s most remarkable, humanly-composed governing document came to be. Washington then first occupied the role of chief executive, serving two terms as the young nation sought its footing domestically and internationally.

Yet Washington’s greatness extended beyond his accomplishments. In these actions, Washington either confirmed or established principles that have blessed America to this day. For one, he willingly resigned his commission as a military commander and retired from the presidency. We mostly take such actions for granted these days. But much of human history has involved persons clinging to power until an assassination or natural death ended their tenure.

In giving up power, Washington taught his country that laws and institutions should rule, not one man. Generals and presidents come and go. But our Constitution remains ever the supreme law through which the people exercise their rule.

For another, Washington set the precedent for how presidents should exercise their constitutional duties. He established the presidency as a clearly civil, not military, office. He gave that office an air of republican dignity, neither indulging in monarchical trappings of overblown ceremony nor succumbing to the low behavior which can beguile popular leaders. Washington carefully acted to give the chief executive the unity needed for decisiveness as well as to use the counsel of his cabinet for wisdom.

He, therefore, pursued more than fulfilling particular policy preferences, seeking to hone the Constitution’s principle of separation of powers into a real, workable government.

Finally, Washington’s accomplishments and precedents stemmed from an excellence of character rarely seen in world, much less American, history.

Chief Justice John Marshall concluded his biography of Washington by discussing the man’s many virtues. He showed great fidelity to friends, generosity to those in need, and self-control in all circumstances. Marshall wrote of his “practical good sense, and of that sound judgment” so rare for those conducting political affairs. This sense and judgment, committed to republican self-government, sought to enhance the people’s rule by listening to its most rational and rather impulsive will. And Washington showed an “integrity” as close to “incorruptible” as human frailty could achieve.

These virtues enabled his successes and set a standard for future American leaders. They showed that character and ability matter more than partisan preferences or social identity.

All presidents live in Washington’s long shadow. We Americans live under the shade of the many blessings he bestowed on his country. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee described Washington as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” He stands alone for his deeds, his precedent, and his character. He alone should be remembered every third Monday of February. Happy Washington Day.

Adam Carrington is an associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College.