Lame Duck Day

Today's holiday is not your run-of-the-mill holidate. Feb. 6 is Lame Duck Day.

While the origins of this holiday are unknown, Lame Duck Day actually has nothing to do with fowl or injuries. Today celebrates and recognizes elected officials who are about to leave their term in office either by choice or because they were not re-elected. Merriam-Webster defines the term as "an elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor or one whose position or term of office will soon end.

Because some public servants no longer felt accountable to their constituents and took advantage of their position during the long lame duck session, the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution, also known as the Lame Duck Amendment, was passed to shorten the length of the lame duck term.

In honor of Lame Duck Day, be sure to thank the lame duck members for their service.