Presidents Day - third Monday of February, federal holiday, and the Washington-Lincoln origins

Presidents Day on the third Monday of February is the US federal holiday honoring all US presidents, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The federal statute still names it Washingtons Birthday.

The one-line summary

US federal holiday on the third Monday of February officially named Washingtons Birthday (5 U.S.C. 6103) and colloquially called Presidents Day. Originally fixed at February 22, moved to the third Monday by the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

Origin

The federal holiday was established in 1879 as Washingtons Birthday, observed on February 22, the actual birthday of George Washington. The 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved the holiday to the third Monday of February, effective 1971. The move placed the holiday between February 15 and February 21, drifting away from Washingtons birthday and bringing the holiday closer to Lincolns (February 12).

The popular name Presidents Day emerged in the mid-20th century, partly through advertising and partly through the custom of schools and civic organizations honoring multiple presidents on the day. The federal statute has never been renamed, but the popular usage is now dominant in commerce and in many states.

How it is observed

Morning: wreath-laying ceremonies at the Washington and Lincoln memorials. Afternoon: school lessons on the presidency; many schools teach about specific presidents on the day. Retail: one of the largest sales events of the year (especially for mattresses, appliances, and cars). Some states and organizations honor specific presidents on the day; Mount Vernon and the Lincoln Memorial run annual commemorative events.

Legal status

Presidents Day is one of 11 federal holidays under 5 U.S.C. section 6103. Federal employees, USPS, the Federal Reserve, NYSE, NASDAQ, and most banks close. Most schools and many businesses close. Retail is largely open.

Where it is contested

The federal statute name (Washingtons Birthday) versus popular usage (Presidents Day) is a perennial technical observation but not actively contested. Discussion occasionally arises over whether the holiday should be formally renamed or expanded to recognize additional presidents; no such legislation has advanced.

In other countries

No other country has a Presidents Day equivalent. Some Latin American countries celebrate presidential inauguration days or national heroes days on different dates.

Historical background

Presidents Day was formalized as a federal holiday under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 (effective 1971), which moved Washington's Birthday (February 22) from a fixed date to the third Monday of February. The act was signed by President Johnson in 1968 and took effect on January 1, 1971. The intent was to create more three-day weekends for federal workers, but the actual observance expanded beyond Washington to encompass all US presidents.

The holiday is officially named Washington's Birthday under federal law, but the colloquial "Presidents Day" emerged because the third Monday of February falls between Washington's birthday (February 22) and Lincoln's birthday (February 12), allowing the day to honor multiple presidents. Most states have officially adopted the "Presidents Day" name, though several (including Virginia, where Washington's home Mount Vernon is located) retain the "Washington's Birthday" name.

Presidents Day is the first of the three federal holidays created by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, along with Memorial Day (last Monday of May) and Columbus Day (second Monday of October). Veterans Day was originally moved to the fourth Monday of October by the same act but was reversed in 1978 and returned to November 11. The act's three-day weekend rationale has remained the most common justification for the holiday's timing.

Commercial and cultural aspects

Presidents Day has become a major commercial event, with retailers running "Presidents Day Sales" on appliances, furniture, mattresses, and cars. The three-day weekend, created by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, makes it one of the largest shopping weekends of the year. Many mattress retailers and home improvement stores have their biggest sales of the year during Presidents Day weekend.

Presidents Day is associated with Washington's Birthday celebrations, particularly at Mount Vernon (Washington's home) and the White House. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and other presidential memorials often host special events. Some schools use Presidents Day for lessons on US presidents; the day is sometimes criticized for lacking depth in its civic commemoration, with critics arguing it should be a serious civic holiday rather than a retail event.

Additional context

The 2026 Presidents Day falls on February 16. Several presidential libraries and historic sites offer free admission on Presidents Day, including Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the various presidential library-museums of recent presidents. These events often include living history demonstrations, special tours, and educational programming.

Presidential traditions

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, is the iconic residence associated with US presidents. The White House Historical Association maintains the interior and grounds. Presidents have contributed various traditions - the Easter Egg Roll (since 1878), the turkey pardon (formalized 1989), the annual State of the Union address (since 1790), and various holiday decorations. Presidential libraries (14 in total) preserve the papers and artifacts of each post-Herbert Hoover president.

Presidents Day trivia

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. The third Monday of February, under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, falls between these two dates. The 2026 Presidents Day on February 16 falls closer to Lincoln's birthday than Washington's.

Presidents' Day by the numbers

Sources

• 5 U.S.C. section 6103 (Federal holiday statute): law.cornell.edu
• Mount Vernon, Presidents Day history: mountvernon.org
• Wikipedia, "Presidents Day": en.wikipedia.org

History of Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day on the third Monday of February was originally Washington's Birthday, established as a federal holiday in 1879 to honour George Washington. The Monday Holiday Act of 1971 moved the date to the third Monday of February, and the colloquial name "Presidents' Day" gradually became the common usage, particularly for retail and commercial purposes.

The federal holiday is officially named Washington's Birthday, though most state governments and the general public refer to it as Presidents' Day. Some states have specific observances honouring individual presidents, including Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Thomas Jefferson (April 13).

How it is observed

Presidents' Day is marked by school programmes on the history of the US presidency, public ceremonies at presidential monuments and homes, and major retail sales. Many US schools are closed, and federal offices, post offices, and banks close. Presidential libraries and historic sites host commemorative events.

Presidents' Day FAQs

• When is Presidents' Day? Third Monday of February, every year.
• Is the federal name different? Yes, the federal holiday is officially "Washington's Birthday."
• Is it a federal holiday? Yes, federal offices, banks, and many businesses close.
• What does it honour? All US presidents, though originally only George Washington.