Presidents Day is the federal holiday officially named Washington’s Birthday, honoring the first U.S. President, George Washington. It became a federal holiday in 1879. The holiday now honors all U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February.

What happens when you get a day off school in February? You celebrate Presidents Day—but do you know the super important history behind that long weekend?

Presidents Day is a super fun holiday, but it’s actually packed with incredible history! Officially, the federal holiday is called Washington's Birthday, named for our very first U.S. President, George Washington. Washington’s actual birthday is February 22nd. The day became an official federal holiday for government offices in Washington, D.C. in 1879, and then for all federal offices in 1885! It was the very first federal holiday created just to honor one American leader.

Mira

Mira says:

"Wow, Presidents Day is officially 'Washington's Birthday,' but everyone calls it Presidents' Day to remember Lincoln and all the others! It’s like a whole team of history heroes getting a shout-out!"

What is Presidents Day Officially Celebrating?

Even though we all use the name Presidents’ Day now, the federal government still officially calls it Washington’s Birthday! But because Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is also in February (on February 12th!), many states started celebrating both leaders together. This gave rise to the popular name, Presidents' Day, which honors the office of the presidency itself—meaning we can think about all the leaders who have served our country!

George Washington was a true hero! He led the Continental Army to victory against the British in the American Revolutionary War. Then, he helped write the rules for our country—the U.S. Constitution—and became the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797!

Mind-Blowing Fact!

When George Washington was asked if he cut down a cherry tree, he famously said he could not tell a lie! This story makes cherries a popular dessert to celebrate his birthday!

How Did the Date Move to a Monday?

If the holiday honors George Washington's February 22nd birthday, why is it on a Monday that isn't the 22nd? That’s because of a big change called the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which Congress passed in 1968 and started in 1971!

The idea was to give federal workers and lots of other people more three-day weekends throughout the year. When the date moved, it landed in a spot between Washington’s birthday and Lincoln’s birthday, which helped make the name 'Presidents' Day' catch on even more!

1879 Year Washington's Birthday became a Federal Holiday
1971 Year the holiday moved to the Third Monday in February
2 Only two people with a federal holiday for their birthday: George Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Why We Remember Abraham Lincoln, Too

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, is the other giant we often remember on this holiday weekend. Lincoln led the United States during the super tough American Civil War and worked hard to keep the country together—the North and the South—as one Union!

Lincoln's Big Moments

He gave the famous Gettysburg Address in 1863, a short but powerful speech about freedom and democracy.

He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that enslaved people in the Southern states were free!

💡 Did You Know?

Fun Fact: Three presidents—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe—all sadly passed away on the 4th of July! John Adams and Thomas Jefferson even died on the same day: July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!

🎯 Quick Quiz!

What is the official, federal name of the holiday we often call Presidents' Day?

A) Abraham Lincoln Day
B) The Founders' Celebration
C) Washington's Birthday
D) The Day of the Presidents

More Presidents Who Share February's Spotlight

Did you know that February is a busy month for presidential birthdays? Besides Washington and Lincoln, two other presidents were born in February too: William Henry Harrison and Ronald Reagan! While the day is mostly about the first president, it’s awesome that we get to remember so many important leaders in one month.

  • George Washington’s likeness is on the quarter-dollar coin and the one-dollar bill!
  • Washington was the only president elected unanimously by the Electoral College.
  • Since 1888, it has been a tradition in the U.S. Senate to read Washington’s Farewell Address on his actual birthday, February 22nd.

Today, Presidents Day is a time for parades, family gatherings, and sometimes, super fun sales at stores! But the most important thing is taking a moment to thank these incredible leaders who helped build and protect the United States for us to enjoy today. History is definitely not boring when you learn about these amazing figures!

Questions Kids Ask About Holidays

When is Presidents Day celebrated each year?
Presidents Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in February. This means the date can change a little bit each year, falling between February 15th and 21st.
Which presidents does Presidents Day honor?
Officially, it’s Washington’s Birthday. However, it is commonly celebrated to honor both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and often, all U.S. presidents.
Who was the first president honored with a federal holiday?
George Washington was the first person honored with his own federal holiday in 1879. This set the stage for other leaders, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to also get a national day.
Why did they move Washington's Birthday from February 22nd?
Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create more consistent three-day weekends for federal employees and boost the economy. This moved the celebration to a Monday, even though it means it doesn't land on his actual birthday anymore.

Keep Exploring U.S. History!

Great job learning about Presidents Day! From George Washington leading a revolution to Abraham Lincoln keeping the country whole, these leaders made a huge difference. Look out for more amazing stories about American history coming soon on History's Not Boring!