Washington’s Birthday is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated every third Monday of February in honor of the first United States President George Washington. Although often referred to as “Presidents’ Day,” the observed federal holiday is officially called “Washington’s Birthday” to celebrate his birthday. This year it is recognized on Monday, February 19, 2024.
Increasingly, the holiday has become an occasion to celebrate the birthdays of both President Washington and President Lincoln, though many use this day to honor all American Presidents. This has led to the common habit of calling the holiday “Presidents’ Day.”
What prompted the recognition specifically for Washington? Arguments for creating the original holiday included his commanding the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, his presiding over the convention that drafted the U.S constitution and being the only president to have been unanimously elected by the Electoral College.
It was President Rutherford B. Hayes who officially signed “Washington’s Birthday” into federal law in 1879. Neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday be changed to “Presidents’ Day,” but many states do celebrate the day as “Presidents’ Day.”
The holiday was moved in the early 1970s to be recognized on Mondays to increase the number of three-day weekends for workers in what’s known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. It was widely supported by the private sector and labor unions as it was seen as a surefire way to bolster retail sales, which is why many businesses have annual Presidents Day sales.
More information:
Read More on the Origin of Presidents Day and Why it is called Washingtons Birthday
Let us join together and celebrate some of the nation’s greatest leaders who have made significant contributions to building the country to what it is today.
Happy Presidents Day,
