President’s Day: history and things to do (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

George Washington’s birthday is the official federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Many of us know it as President’s Day, Presidents Day, or Presidents’ Day. All are correct. Well, all of them are wrong. The official Federal name for the holiday is Washington’s Birthday, which is actually February 22, but is nevertheless celebrated on the third Monday so Federal employees can have a 3-day weekend. We use the same spelling as the Washington State DOR holiday schedule.

In addition to special events, retail businesses often celebrate President’s Day with special offers and discounts.

Washington Crossing the Delaware painting by Emanuel Leutze (public domain)

George Washington crossing of the Delaware River the night of December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. Image of painting by Emanuel Leutze (public domain)

History of George Washington’s birthday aka President’s Day

George Washington is regarded as the “father of our country” because he commanded the national Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) to achieve independence from British rule. Washington also served as the first president of the newly formed United States of America from 1789 to 1797.

(There’s much more to the story if you are so inclined to read about history—fascinating stuff. Really. Head to your nearest library and they’ll hook you up with reading material.)

Throughout the 1800s, Washington’s birthday, February 22, was celebrated with patriotic events rivaling Independence Day, July 4^th. The day was designated a federal holiday by Congressional Bill S. 623, introduced in 1878 and passed in 1879.

In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Washington’s birthday celebration to the third Monday, primarily to create a 3-day weekend for federal employees and reduce absenteeism. The holiday is still officially designated as “Washington’s Birthday” in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which specifies holidays for Federal employees.

Over the next several decades, an unofficial shift in the day’s name occurred. President Lincoln’s birthday was also celebrated in some states on February 12. Eventually, George Washington’s birthday holiday expanded to include Lincoln and eventually all presidents, past and present. However, the official federal designation is still George Washington’s birthday.

There is some controversy over celebrating Washington’s birthday on a date other than his birthday, as well as combining the fete with Lincoln and other presidents. But hey, this is America and it’s how we roll.

Whether you think of it as Washington’s Birthday, President’s Day, wahoo-no-school day, or a great day to shop and save, it’s another patriotic holiday along with Independence Day (July 4^th) and Veteran’s Day (November 11) when we can observe and reflect on these United States.