Presidents' Day facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Washington's Birthday Presidents' Day
George Washington by Gilbert Stuart (1797)
Official name	Varies by federal, state and city law
Observed by	United States
Type	Federal and most U.S. states and cities
Celebrations	Community and national celebrations
Date	third Monday in February
Frequency	Annual
First time	1879 (as an official federal holiday)
Related to	Lincoln's Birthday

Presidents' Day is a special holiday in the United States. It is officially called Washington's Birthday by the federal government. We celebrate it on the third Monday of February each year.

This day honors all the people who have served as presidents of the United States. Since 1879, it has been a federal holiday to remember George Washington. He was a Founding Father who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War. Washington also helped create the U.S. Constitution and was the first U.S. president from 1789 to 1797.

Many states also celebrate this day as an official state holiday. The name of the holiday can be different in each state. Some states honor only Washington. Others honor both Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Some might even include other presidents.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. His birthday was celebrated on this date until 1970. To give federal workers a three-day weekend, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved the holiday in 1968. Now, it is always on the third Monday in February. This means it can fall between February 15 and 21.

Over time, the day became known as Presidents' Day. It is a chance to remember all U.S. presidents. It also often honors Abraham Lincoln's birthday along with Washington's. Lincoln led the country through the American Civil War. He helped keep the Union together and ended slavery. He also made the federal government stronger and helped modernize the U.S. economy.

State Holiday Names

Abraham Lincoln by Alexander Gardner (1863)

Washington's Birthday sign, c. 1890–1899

Flag and bunting mark Washington's Birthday in Toronto, Ontario

Lincoln's Birthday on February 12 was never a federal holiday. However, many states have changed their holiday names to include "Presidents' Day." This often includes both Washington and Lincoln. These two presidents are usually seen as the top two in U.S. history.

Here are some ways states officially name this holiday:

• "Presidents' Day" is used in Hawaii, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
• "President's Day" is used in Alaska, Idaho, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
• "Washington's Birthday" is used in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York.
• Some states combine names, like "Lincoln's and Washington's Birthday" in Montana.
• Arkansas celebrates "George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Bates Day."
• California uses a general term: "The third Monday in February."

Some states have other ways of celebrating. For example, in Massachusetts, the state celebrates "Washington's Birthday" on the federal holiday. But the governor also asks people to celebrate "Presidents Day" on May 29. This day honors presidents from Massachusetts like John F. Kennedy and John Adams.

In New Mexico, state government workers observe Presidents' Day on the Friday after Thanksgiving. However, the official public holiday is still the third Monday in February.

History of the Holiday

Procession for the 100th celebration of Washington's birthday, Philadelphia, February 1832

George Washington was born on February 11, 1731, according to the calendar used back then. This was the Julian calendar, which was different from our modern Gregorian calendar. In 1752, the British Empire, including the American colonies, switched to the Gregorian calendar. This new calendar changed Washington's birth date to February 22, 1732. So, he started celebrating his birthday on this new date.

The federal holiday for Washington was first created by a law in 1879. It was for government offices in Washington. In 1885, it was expanded to all federal offices. It was celebrated on February 22, Washington's actual birthday on the new calendar.

On January 1, 1971, the holiday moved to the third Monday in February. This was due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This means "Washington's Birthday" never falls on February 22 anymore. It's always between February 15 and 21.

There was an idea in 1951 to create a "President's Day" to honor the office of the presidency itself. The idea was to celebrate it on March 4, the original inauguration day. But this plan didn't pass because it was too close to Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays.

An early version of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act wanted to rename the holiday "Presidents' Day." This would honor both Washington and Lincoln. That's why the chosen date falls between their birthdays. However, this name change did not become law. The holiday officially remained "Washington's Birthday." But by the mid-1980s, many people and businesses started calling it "Presidents' Day."

In Washington's adopted hometown of Alexandria, Virginia, people celebrate throughout February.

How Presidents' Day is Celebrated

Los Angeles streetcar decorated for Washington's Birthday, c. 1892

Washington's Birthday—Fifth Avenue at 23rd Street, etching by Childe Hassam, 1916

A traditional food linked to the holiday is cherry pie. This comes from a famous story about young Washington chopping down a cherry tree.

Most businesses stay open on Presidents' Day now. Many stores have big sales and special deals. Federal and state government offices are closed. This includes the U.S. Postal Service and courts. Most public schools are closed too. Some school districts, like New York City, might even have a whole week off for a "mid-winter recess."

The holiday also reminds us of the Purple Heart medal. This medal has Washington's image on it. It is given to soldiers who are injured in battle. Washington created the first military badge of merit for soldiers. The Purple Heart was brought back in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday.

Many communities have long-standing celebrations. Laredo, Texas, has a month-long tribute. Alexandria, Virginia, has what they say is the nation's longest and largest George Washington Birthday parade. In Eustis, Florida, they have an annual "GeorgeFest" celebration that started in 1902.

Since 1862, there has been a tradition in the United States Senate. On Washington's birthday, someone reads George Washington's Farewell Address. This started during the Civil War when citizens asked for it to be done.

Presidents' Day Sales

The holiday is well-known for big sales. Stores often offer discounts on things like appliances, furniture, and mattresses. This is because retailers want to clear out old items. These sales are usually called "President's Day Sales."

Sports Events

Since the mid-2000s, the National Basketball Association (NBA) holds its annual All-Star festivities during this holiday weekend. This means no NBA games are played on the holiday itself.

The day before Presidents' Day is usually when the Daytona 500 NASCAR race takes place. Sometimes, the race might be delayed or finished on the holiday due to bad weather.

Dates of Presidents' Day

See also

In Spanish: Día de los Presidentes para niños

• List of memorials to George Washington
• Jefferson's Birthday
• Family Day (Canada)
• Historical rankings of presidents of the United States