Celebrated on the third Monday of February, Presidents’ Day is a U.S. federal holiday honoring the nation’s past leaders, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthdays fall close to this date.
Established in 1885 to commemorate Washington’s birthday, the holiday later evolved to recognize all U.S. presidents and their contributions to the country. Many people use the day to reflect on presidential history, explore the legacy of American leadership, and participate in community events, historical tours, or educational programs. It’s also a popular time for patriotic sales and gatherings. Presidents’ Day reminds us of the enduring impact of past leaders and the importance of civic duty and democracy.
The Background of Presidents’ Day
Presidents’ Day originated as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday, observed on February 22.
In 1885, the federal government established Washington’s Birthday as a national holiday to honor the nation’s first president and his role in founding the United States.
In 1971, the holiday was moved to the third Monday in February as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to create more three-day weekends for American workers. This change broadened the holiday’s focus to honor not only Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday falls on February 12, but also all U.S. presidents.
Today, Presidents’ Day is often seen as a day for reflecting on the presidency itself, recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by those who have served in the highest office of the land.
When is Presidents’ Day Celebrated?
Set each year on the third Monday in February, Presidents’ Day honors the legacy of America’s leaders and provides a moment to reflect on the role of the presidency in shaping the nation. Here’s when Presidents’ Day will be celebrated over the next several years:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 17, Monday |
| 2026 | February 16, Monday |
| 2027 | February 15, Monday |
| 2028 | February 21, Monday |
| 2029 | February 19, Monday |
| 2030 | February 18, Monday |
How Presidents’ Day is Observed Across the States
The observance of the federal holiday on the third Monday of February varies across U.S. states, with each state having the autonomy to designate the holiday’s name and the presidents it honors. Here’s an overview:
- Washington’s Birthday: States such as Virginia, Illinois, and Massachusetts officially observe the holiday as “Washington’s Birthday,” focusing solely on honoring George Washington.
- Combined Holiday for Washington and Lincoln: Some states, including California and Missouri, recognize the day as a combined holiday, honoring both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
- Presidents’ Day (honoring all presidents): Other states, like Michigan and Alaska, have adopted the broader term “Presidents’ Day” to honor all U.S. presidents collectively.
Fun Facts about Presidents’ Day
From its origins as Washington’s Birthday to unique traditions and observances, Presidents’ Day holds some fascinating tidbits that reflect its evolution and significance. Here are a few fun facts that shed light on this holiday:
- Presidents’ Day was initially celebrated as Washington’s Birthday, with the focus on honoring the first U.S. president’s achievements and legacy.
- The holiday’s shift to the third Monday in February meant that it would never fall directly on Washington’s or Lincoln’s actual birthdays.
- Some states still officially observe Washington’s Birthday instead of Presidents’ Day, while others celebrate it as a combined holiday for both Washington and Lincoln.
- Presidents’ Day is one of the most popular times of the year for sales, as many businesses hold promotions, making it almost as well-known for shopping as it is for honoring U.S. presidents.
Ways to Celebrate Presidents Day
Presidents’ Day offers a variety of ways to reflect on and appreciate the legacy of American presidents. From learning more about these leaders to visiting landmarks, here are some interesting ways to make the most of this holiday:
- Learn about the lives and legacies of past presidents: Take some time to explore biographies, documentaries, or museum exhibits dedicated to the presidents, particularly Washington and Lincoln. Understanding their lives offers insight into the history and growth of the nation.
- Visit a historic site: If you’re near a historic landmark like Mount Vernon, Monticello, or the Lincoln Memorial, Presidents’ Day is a great time to visit. Many sites offer special programming or tours to commemorate the holiday.
- Share your reflections on social media: Post a favorite presidential quote or share a story about a president who inspires you, using hashtags like #PresidentsDay and #AmericanHistory to join the conversation.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
