What Is Presidents Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of February. While officially still called "Washington's Birthday" by the federal government, it's commonly known as Presidents Day and has evolved to honor all U.S. presidents.

Presidents Day is one of America's most recognized federal holidays, but its history and meaning are often misunderstood. This article explores the origins of Presidents Day, why we celebrate it, and how it has evolved over time.

The Origin: Washington's Birthday

Presidents Day began as a celebration of George Washington's birthday. Washington was born on February 22, 1732, and his birthday was unofficially celebrated during his lifetime. After his death in 1799, February 22 became a day of remembrance.

Early Observances

1800s: Washington's birthday was celebrated in various states, but it wasn't a federal holiday
1879: Congress made February 22 a federal holiday for Washington, D.C. government employees
1885: The holiday was expanded to all federal employees nationwide

For nearly a century, Washington's Birthday was observed on February 22, regardless of what day of the week it fell on.

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved several federal holidays to designated Mondays to create more three-day weekends. This act changed Washington's Birthday from the fixed date of February 22 to the third Monday of February, which could fall anywhere from February 15 to February 21.

The act took effect in 1971, and since then, Washington's Birthday has been observed on the third Monday of February.

Why the Third Monday?

The third Monday of February was chosen because:

It always falls within a week of Washington's actual birthday (February 22)
It ensures the holiday always creates a three-day weekend
It maintains proximity to the original date while providing consistency

Federal vs. State Interpretations

While the federal government still officially calls the holiday "Washington's Birthday," many states and the general public refer to it as "Presidents Day." This has led to some confusion about what the holiday actually celebrates.

Federal Government

The federal government officially recognizes the holiday as "Washington's Birthday" and honors George Washington specifically. Federal offices, banks, and many institutions close on this day.

State Governments

Many states have their own interpretations:

Some states call it "Presidents Day" and honor all presidents
Some states honor both Washington and Abraham Lincoln (whose birthday is February 12)
Some states maintain the "Washington's Birthday" name

Common Usage

In popular culture and commercial settings, "Presidents Day" has become the dominant term, and the holiday is often seen as a celebration of all U.S. presidents.

Why the Third Monday of February?

The third Monday of February was chosen for several reasons:

Proximity to Washington's Birthday: It always falls within a week of February 22
Three-Day Weekend: Always creates a long weekend (Friday through Monday)
Consistency: Unlike a fixed date, it always falls on a Monday
Commerce: Long weekends boost retail sales and travel

The date range (February 15-21) ensures the holiday is always close to Washington's actual birthday while providing the benefits of a Monday holiday.

Who Is Honored?

The answer depends on who you ask:

Federal Government View

Officially honors George Washington only
The holiday is legally "Washington's Birthday"

Popular View

Many Americans see it as honoring all U.S. presidents
Some specifically honor Washington and Lincoln
Commercial advertisements often celebrate all presidents

Historical Context

Originally created to honor Washington
Lincoln's birthday (February 12) was never a federal holiday, but some states combined the celebrations
The evolution to "Presidents Day" happened organically in popular culture

Modern Interpretation

Today, Presidents Day is widely interpreted as a celebration of all U.S. presidents, though the federal government maintains the official "Washington's Birthday" designation. This modern interpretation:

Recognizes the contributions of all presidents
Provides educational opportunities about presidential history
Creates a sense of national unity and pride
Offers a time for reflection on American leadership

Why We Celebrate in February

February was chosen for several historical reasons:

Washington's Birthday: February 22 is Washington's actual birthday
Lincoln's Birthday: February 12 is Lincoln's birthday (though not a federal holiday)
Historical Significance: Both presidents are associated with February
Calendar Placement: February provides a good mid-winter holiday

The third Monday ensures the holiday always falls in February, maintaining the connection to these important presidential birthdays.

Presidents Day Traditions

Modern Presidents Day observances include:

Retail Sales: Many stores offer "Presidents Day sales"
Educational Activities: Schools often teach about presidents
Presidential Sites: Museums and historic sites see increased visitors
Reflection: Time to consider presidential contributions to American history
Service: Some communities organize service projects

The Evolution of the Holiday

The holiday has evolved significantly:

1879-1970: Fixed date (February 22) honoring Washington
1971-Present: Third Monday of February, still officially "Washington's Birthday"
Popular Culture: Gradually became known as "Presidents Day"
Modern Era: Often interpreted as honoring all presidents

Why "Presidents Day" Became Popular

Several factors contributed to the popular adoption of "Presidents Day":

Marketing: Retailers found "Presidents Day" more inclusive for sales
Education: Schools began teaching about multiple presidents
State Variations: Some states officially adopted "Presidents Day"
Cultural Shift: Americans began seeing it as a celebration of all presidents
Simplicity: "Presidents Day" is easier to say than "Washington's Birthday"

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Presidents Day Officially Called?

The federal government officially calls it "Washington's Birthday," but it's commonly known as "Presidents Day" in popular culture.

Why Do We Celebrate Presidents Day?

We celebrate to honor the contributions of U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington, who led the nation's founding. Over time, it has evolved to recognize all presidents.

Is Presidents Day Always on a Monday?

Yes, Presidents Day is always observed on the third Monday of February, which can fall anywhere from February 15 to February 21.

Why Is It Called Presidents Day If It's Officially Washington's Birthday?

The name "Presidents Day" evolved in popular culture and state governments, even though the federal government maintains the official "Washington's Birthday" designation.

Do All States Celebrate Presidents Day?

Yes, all states observe the federal holiday, though some states have different names or additional observances (like honoring Lincoln).

When Is Presidents Day 2026?

Presidents Day 2026 falls on February 16, 2026. Use our Presidents Day date calculator to find dates for any year.

Presidents Day Date Calculator: Find Presidents Day dates for any year
Presidents Day Countdown: See how many days until the next Presidents Day
Presidents Day Dates by Year: Complete table of dates from 2000-2035

Conclusion

Presidents Day is a unique American holiday that has evolved from a simple celebration of George Washington's birthday to a broader recognition of all U.S. presidents. While officially still called "Washington's Birthday" by the federal government, it's widely known as "Presidents Day" and serves as an opportunity to reflect on presidential leadership and American history.

Whether you see it as honoring Washington specifically or all presidents generally, Presidents Day provides a meaningful moment to consider the contributions of those who have led the United States throughout its history.