Presidents’ Day, celebrated on the third Monday of February, is a national holiday honoring the leaders who have shaped the United States. Originally established in 1885 to recognize George Washington’s birthday (February 22, 1732), the holiday evolved to commemorate all U.S. presidents over time.
Washington was revered as the country’s founding leader, and after his death, his birthday was unofficially honored across the nation. In 1879, it became a federal holiday, but it wasn’t until the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 that it shifted to a Monday and unofficially became known as Presidents’ Day, allowing Americans a three-day weekend. Over time, the day came to recognize both Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12, as well as the broader legacy of U.S. presidents.
Today, Presidents’ Day is marked by historical reenactments, educational events, and sales from retailers capitalizing on the long weekend. Whether used as a day of reflection or shopping, it remains a time to appreciate the leaders who have shaped American history.
