Presidents’ Day is the federal holiday which is meant to honor all Presidents of the United States, but specifically George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February every year. Many people have heard of Presidents’ Day, which often includes having the day off, not knowing why this holiday is celebrated.
In 1879, Congress established Washington’s birthday as a holiday for all the Washington D.C. government employees. In 1885, Washington’s birthday was designated a federal holiday for everyone the Nation. This holiday was originally made to honor George Washington and his legacy. At first it was celebrated on Feb. 22, which was the actual date of Washington’s birthday. But in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, decided to move Washington’s Day to a Monday, specifically the third Monday of February.
There are two main presidents associated with Presidents’ Day: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington had originally inspired Presidents’ Day, but as time went on, people were trying to figure out if it should be called Washington’s Day. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was only a couple of days before Washington’s birthday, so it changed from being called Washington’s Day to Presidents’ Day, which ended up honoring all presidents instead of just George Washington. These presidents are the ones remembered because of the impact they left. George Washington had set forward many important things that still are in effect today, like two-term limits, the judicial systems, and the President’s Cabinet. Washington also led the country through the Revolutionary War and became the first president of the United States. Abraham Lincoln guided America through the Civil War and held the country together, declaring enslaved people free with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Lincoln passed many acts like the Homestead, Morrill, and Yosemite Grant Acts, created the Department of Agriculture, and declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.
People celebrate Presidents’ Day in many ways, having patriotic events like ceremonies and parades, sales from stores and businesses, and educational activities at schools and academies. Federal places get the day off, since Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday. Many places like the post office, non-essential government offices, federal courts, banks, the stock market, public schools and libraries are closed for Presidents’ Day. While celebrations have changed over time, the principle of Presidents’ Day has still carried on.
