George Washington's Birthday

Celebrated on 02/22/2026

Quick Fact

George Washington's Birthday is celebrated on the third Monday in February, but Washington was actually born on February 11, 1731 (Julian calendar) or February 22, 1732 (Gregorian calendar). The holiday has become commonly known as Presidents' Day, though the federal government still officially calls it Washington's Birthday.

Origins and Establishment of George Washington's Birthday

George Washington's Birthday was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1879, when President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law. Initially, it was observed on February 22, Washington's actual birthday according to the Gregorian calendar. The holiday was originally intended to honor the first President of the United States and his contributions to the founding of the nation.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted the celebration to the third Monday in February, effective from 1971. This change aimed to create more three-day weekends for workers. Over time, the holiday has evolved to also honor Abraham Lincoln (born February 12) and other presidents, leading to the popular (though unofficial) name "Presidents' Day." Today, it is marked by sales, school projects, and patriotic events, though many states still officially celebrate it as Washington's Birthday.

Facts & General Observations

• George Washington never actually celebrated his birthday as a federal holiday during his lifetime; the holiday was established nearly a century after his death.
• The holiday is one of the few federal holidays named after an individual, alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Columbus Day.
• According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the official federal holiday name remains "Washington's Birthday," not Presidents' Day.

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