mabye because in our days we make birthdays a big deal and it seems strange to think of them as having no meaning as Washington seemed to

feel about his own birthday?

I don't think that it wasn't meaningful for Washington so much as he had come to terms with not knowing. That part really got to me...

that no one thought he was important enough to keep a record of it.

i got that feeling too. that he's ready to get away from the defeated attitude and hopes the entire culture will too.