February rolls around, and suddenly you’re seeing Presidents’ Day sales everywhere. You may even get the day off work or school. But do you actually know what it’s really about? Let’s break down everything you need to know about this federal holiday that honors the United States’ most important leaders.
Related:
What Is Presidents’ Day?
Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday, celebrates the birthday of the first president of the United States, George Washington. But, it has now turned into a day when Americans recognize everyone who’s taken on the presidency — from our first commander-in-chief to whoever’s currently dealing with the job’s impossible demands.
It happens every third Monday in February, giving you that sweet three-day weekend. And since it’s a federal holiday, government offices, banks, and post offices shut down.
Why Is It Called Presidents’ Day?
Here’s where things get interesting — the federal holiday is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday,” not Presidents’ Day. When the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was debated, lawmakers proposed to change the name to “Presidents’ Day” to acknowledge Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (which is also in February), but that part never became law. Still, “Presidents’ Day” stuck around in popular culture and in many states because… well, retail sales.
Why Is Presidents’ Day on a Monday?
The sole reason why Presidents’ Day is on a Monday is because of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. It moved several federal holidays, including Washington’s Birthday, to Monday. Why? So, we could get our long 3-day weekends.
How Is Presidents’ Day Celebrated
Americans celebrate Presidents’ Day in various ways. Here is a closer look.
- Museums and historical sites frequently offer special exhibits or discounted admission to attract visitors interested in learning about presidential history.
- Retail stores have turned Presidents’ Day into a major shopping event, with sales on everything from mattresses to the latest gadgets.
- Some communities organize parades and ceremonies, especially in areas with strong historical connections to presidents. Mount Vernon, Washington’s historic estate, hosts special events and tours that draw thousands of visitors each year.
What’s Open and Closed on Presidents’ Day?
As a federal holiday, you can expect most government offices to be closed, including post offices, federal courts, public libraries, and IRS offices. Banks typically close, too, like most schools.
Some private businesses remain open to take advantage of Presidents’ Day sales. Most restaurants, gas stations, essential services, and recreational facilities are open as well, some with reduced hours.
As for public transportation, some routes run on a regular service while others operate on a modified schedule. So, always check your local transit authority’s website before heading out.
Tip: If you need to conduct business on Presidents’ Day, call ahead to confirm store hours. Many businesses post their holiday schedules online or on their front doors to help customers plan accordingly.
What States Do Not Celebrate Presidents’ Day?
While Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday, individual states can choose how to observe it. Most states recognize the holiday in some form, but a few have made interesting modifications to the celebration.
For instance, Alabama uniquely combines Presidents’ Day with a commemoration of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, calling it “Washington and Jefferson Day” to honor multiple founding fathers on the same day.
Other states maintain separate holidays for Washington and Lincoln rather than combining them into Presidents’ Day. Illinois, Lincoln’s birthplace, still officially recognizes his birthday as a separate state holiday.
Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, or Wisconsin don’t officially recognize Presidents’ Day at all. Instead, they may mark individual presidents’ birthdays separately or not at all.
Is President’s Day Different From Veterans Day?
Presidents’ Day and Veterans Day are two very different things.
Presidents’ Day shines a spotlight on the presidency itself and the people who’ve held that office, with the focus on civilian leadership and the democratic process. On the other hand, Veterans Day, held every year on November 11, is all about honoring those who served in the U.S. military.
Basically, the biggest distinction between the celebrations comes down to scope: Presidents’ Day is about political leadership, while Veterans Day is about military service.
Another difference? Presidents’ Day always lands on a Monday, thanks to the Monday Holiday Act; Veterans Day sticks to November 11, no matter which day of the week it falls on.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Presidents’ Day is actually called Washington’s Birthday, and what started as a celebration of Washington’s Birthday expanded to honor not only him but also Abraham Lincoln and, over time, all U.S. presidents. Today, it’s often seen as a chance to reflect on presidential leadership, enjoy a long weekend, and, of course, take advantage of all those February sales.
