Presidents Day

What is Presidents’ Day?

Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. While most of us know it as a day to honor all U.S. presidents, its legal history is a bit more specific.

How It Started: The “Washington” Connection

The holiday was originally established in 1879 to celebrate the birthday of George Washington (born February 22).

1879: It became a holiday for federal workers in Washington, D.C.
1885: It was expanded to include all federal offices across the country.
First of its Kind: It was the first federal holiday to celebrate the life of an individual American.

The Shift to Monday

For nearly a century, the holiday was always celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday, February 22. That changed in 1971 due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

The Goal: Congress moved several holidays to Mondays to create more three-day weekends for the workforce.
The Result: Because the holiday is now on the third Monday of February, it can never actually fall on Washington’s birthday (February 22).

Why the Name Changed (Unofficially)

Legally, the federal government still calls the holiday “Washington’s Birthday.” However, the name “Presidents’ Day” became popular for two reasons:

Lincoln’s Birthday: Abraham Lincoln was also born in February (Feb 12). Since the new Monday holiday falls right between the two birthdays, many states combined them into one celebration.
Marketing: In the 1980s, retailers began using the term “Presidents’ Day” to advertise holiday sales, and the name eventually stuck in the public mind.

5 Quick Fun Facts

The Farewell Address: Every year since 1896, the U.S. Senate has a tradition of reading George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address aloud on the Senate floor to mark the holiday.
Not Just the “Big Two”: Some states use the day to honor local heroes too. For example, Alabama celebrates Washington and Thomas Jefferson, even though Jefferson was born in April.
The Cherry Tree Legend: The famous story of Washington chopping down a cherry tree was actually a myth created by a biographer after Washington’s death to illustrate his honesty.
State Variations: There is no universal spelling. You’ll see it written as Presidents’ Day (plural), President’s Day (singular), or even Presidents Day (no apostrophe).

Conclusion: More Than Just a Monday Off

Whether you call it Washington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day, the third Monday of February serves as a unique bridge between America’s past and its present. It began as a tribute to a single man’s leadership but has grown into a broader celebration of the office itself—and the complex, human stories of those who have held it. So, while you’re enjoying the long weekend or scouting for a holiday deal, take a moment to reflect on the nearly 250 years of history that brought us to this Monday.

What Do You Think?

Every state has its own way of celebrating—and its own name for the day! Does your state do something unique for Presidents’ Day? Or do you have a favorite piece of presidential trivia we missed? Drop a comment below and let us know!