Photo via: Pool/Getty Images
The 44th U.S. President of the United States now has his very own day in the state of Illinois.
Obama, and pretty much the entire internet, celebrated his 56th birthday on Friday, August 4. Now, what was trending on Twitter as Obama Day has been turned into a holiday in Illinois. On the same day as Obama’s birthday, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law declaring August 4 as “Barack Obama Day”.
According to the Senate Bill 55, the day will be “set apart to honor the 44th President of the United States of America who began his career serving the People of Illinois in both the Illinois State Senate and the United States Senate, and dedicated his life to protecting the rights of Americans and building bridges across communities.”
Despite a number of lawmakers choosing to abstain from voting, the bill was passed by both houses without no votes against it.
“Barack Obama Day” is a commemorative holiday, which means workplaces will not close. Starting in 2018, the state of Illinois will celebrate Barack Obama Day on Obama’s birthday.