So, Presidents’ Day is coming up, right? You might be wondering what’s the deal with this holiday. Is it about one president or all of them? Why do we even have it in February? Well, buckle up, Lincoln folks, because we’re about to dive into the story behind this day of mattress sales and maybe a day off from work.
George Washington: The OG President
It all started with George Washington. Yep, the main man himself. In 1885, the U.S. government decided that the first president deserved his holiday: Washington’s Birthday. It was celebrated on February 22, Washington’s actual birthday.
Here’s a fun fact: Washington was born on February 11, 1731. However, things changed when the British colonies switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. This calendar change made Washington’s birth date February 22, 1732.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act
Fast forward almost a century to 1971. Congress decided to move Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday in February. Why? To give federal employees a three-day weekend. This was part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which shifted a few holidays to Mondays.
Even though the holiday was created to honor Washington specifically, it has become a celebration of all U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February.
What’s in a Name?
Here’s where things get a little confusing. Officially, the federal holiday is still called “Washington’s Birthday”. But most people call it “Presidents’ Day”. Many states have their own holidays with different names to celebrate.
Long Weekend Perks
Presidents’ Day is always on a Monday. This is great because it creates a long weekend. The holiday has been celebrated on a Monday since 1971, all thanks to the US Congress passing the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This act moved three federal holidays from their original dates to a Monday: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day (though Veterans Day was later moved back to its original date).
What’s Open, What’s Closed?
Since Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday, federal services like the US Postal Service are closed. Some schools also close, especially around the D.C. area. But don’t worry, private businesses are usually open, and so are private mail and delivery companies. Public transportation often runs on a Saturday schedule.
Presidents’ Day: A Day to Reflect
Presidents like Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt played huge roles in shaping the United States. Washington set the standard for presidential leadership. Lincoln led the country through the Civil War and ended slavery. Roosevelt helped the U.S. through the Great Depression and World War II. Presidents’ Day is a chance to think about their leadership and how each president has impacted the country.
So, as you enjoy your day off, remember the presidents who helped shape the nation.
Sources: timeanddate.com, livemint.com, almanac.com
Header Image Source: Caleb Fisher on Unsplash
