Presidents Day

Presidents Day
Observed by	United States
Type	Federal holiday
Date	Third Monday in February
Scheduling	Varies (third Monday)
Frequency	Annual
Duration	1 day
Celebrates	The lives and legacies of U.S. Presidents

Presidents Day, officially known as **Washington’s Birthday**, is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the **third Monday of February** each year. It honors **George Washington**, the nation’s first president, and is commonly used to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

Origins

Originally established in 1885 to commemorate **George Washington’s birthday** (February 22), the holiday became popularly known as *Presidents Day* after the **Uniform Monday Holiday Act** of 1971 moved it to create a long weekend.

Though still officially called *Washington’s Birthday* in federal law, most Americans recognize it as a day to honor:

• **George Washington**
• **Abraham Lincoln** (born February 12)
• All presidents collectively

Traditions and Observances

• Government offices, banks, and schools often close
• Many retailers run **Presidents Day sales**
• Historical reenactments and educational events take place
• Students may learn about the **U.S. presidency**, Constitution, and civic duties

Symbolism

Presidents Day celebrates:

• The founding of American democracy
• The leadership of key historical figures
• National unity and reflection on public service

Notable Locations

• **Mount Vernon**, Washington’s estate in Virginia
• **Lincoln Memorial** – Washington, D.C.
• **Mount Rushmore** – South Dakota

Fun Facts

• George Washington was born in 1732, and Abraham Lincoln in 1809
• Washington is the only U.S. president to receive 100% of the Electoral College vote
• Some states still celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday separately

See Also

• George Washington
• Abraham Lincoln
• List of U.S. Presidents
• Federal Holidays in the United States
• U.S. Constitution