Celebrated on 02/16/2026
Presidents' Day was originally established in 1885 to honor George Washington's birthday, but the date was moved to the third Monday in February under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, which also sparked controversy over whether to include Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Despite the federal holiday being officially called "Washington's Birthday," many states have expanded it to honor all U.S. presidents.
Presidents' Day traces its roots to the celebration of George Washington's birthday, which began as an unofficial observance in the late 18th century. In 1879, Congress declared February 22 (Washington's actual birth date) a federal holiday for government offices in the District of Columbia, and in 1885, it was expanded to cover all federal offices nationwide. The holiday was originally known as "Washington's Birthday" and was the first federal holiday to honor an individual American.
The shift to a Monday observance came with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 and taking effect in 1971. This act moved Washington's Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February, creating a three-day weekend. While the federal name remains "Washington's Birthday," the term "Presidents' Day" gained popularity in the 1980s, partly due to advertisers promoting sales and the desire to also honor Abraham Lincoln (born February 12). Today, many states and businesses use "Presidents' Day" to celebrate all U.S. presidents, and it is marked by patriotic events, educational programs, and retail sales.
Explore more celebrations, trivia, and quests on National Day Quest.