Franklin Roosevelt actually said...

all clerks and other employees in the Federal service in the District of Columbia... are hereby excused from duty on those days.

Executive Order 6516—Excusing Federal Employees in the District of Columbia From Duty December 23 and 30, 1933

12/19/1933

More Franklin Roosevelt Quotes

I suppose it will be voluntary, in the sense that if you don't do it— in effect it will be compulsory.

I can say that on the whole it is getting on very well, but that is not terribly exciting.

I think it is a pretty good idea to strike while the iron's hot, and the Lord knows it's hot now.

I think everybody will be happier.