It’s Presidents’ Day! Celebrating the legacy of our great leaders.
Presidents’ Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday under federal law, traces its origins to the late 19th century when Congress established February 22—the actual birthday of George Washington, the nation’s first president—as a federal holiday in 1879 for the District of Columbia, expanding it nationwide in 1885 to honor his pivotal role as commander of the Continental Army and leader of the young republic.
The observance remained fixed on that date until 1968, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted it (along with several other holidays) to the third Monday in February, effective in 1971, to create more three-day weekends for federal workers.
Although a proposal during congressional debates to rename the holiday “Presidents’ Day” in order to also commemorate Abraham Lincoln (born February 12) was rejected, the popular name quickly took hold due to the holiday’s proximity to Lincoln’s birthday, widespread state celebrations of both leaders, and aggressive marketing by retailers.
Today, while the federal government retains the original title, the day is commonly celebrated across the United States as an occasion to reflect on the contributions of all U.S. presidents, featuring parades, educational events, and public ceremonies—particularly in Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia—without ever having been officially renamed.
