The Evolution of a National Holiday
Every third Monday in February, Americans observe a federal holiday that has sparked more confusion than perhaps any other day on the national calendar. Is it Presidents’ Day, President’s Day, or Presidents Day? Does it honour George Washington alone, both Washington and Abraham Lincoln, or all American presidents? The answer depends on whom you ask and where you live. Despite this ambiguity, or perhaps because of it, the holiday has become an important annual opportunity to reflect on American leadership, presidential history, and the values that have guided the nation through more than two centuries. Understanding how this holiday evolved from a simple birthday celebration to a complex commemoration reveals much about how Americans remember their past and honour their leaders.
George Washington: The Father of His Country
To understand Presidents’ Day, we must first understand George Washington himself. Born on 22nd February 1732 (though originally 11th February 1731 under the old Julian calendar), Washington became an indispensable figure in America’s founding. He led the Continental Army to victory against the British Empire during the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention that created the framework of American government, and served as the nation’s first president from 1789 to 1797.
Washington’s importance cannot be overstated. Without his military leadership, the Revolutionary War might have been lost. Without his prestige at the Constitutional Convention, the Constitution might never have been ratified. Without his example as president, the executive branch could have evolved very differently, perhaps toward monarchy or dictatorship rather than the republican system that endures today.
Washington set crucial precedents that continue to shape the presidency. He established the cabinet system, delivered inaugural addresses, limited himself to two terms (a tradition that held until Franklin Roosevelt and was later enshrined in the Twenty-Second Amendment), and demonstrated that a president could voluntarily relinquish power, an act so extraordinary that King George III reportedly called Washington the greatest man in the world for doing so.
Perhaps most remarkably, Washington understood the symbolic importance of the presidency. He carefully crafted the office’s dignity and authority while ensuring it remained subordinate to the Constitution and the rule of law. His Farewell Address, published in September 1796, warned against excessive political partisanship and foreign entanglements, advice that remains relevant centuries later.
The First Birthday Celebrations
Americans began celebrating Washington’s birthday even during his lifetime. The first documented celebration occurred in 1781 while the Revolutionary War still raged. As Washington’s reputation grew, so did the festivities marking his birth. After he died in 1799, the celebrations intensified as a way of honouring his memory and legacy.
The centennial of Washington’s birth in 1832 sparked nationwide commemorations. Congress established a special committee to organise the celebration and adjourned from 21st to 23rd February to participate in the festivities. Cities across the nation held parades, festivals, and ceremonies. The day featured speeches extolling Washington’s virtues, military processions, bell ringing, and elaborate dinners. These celebrations reflected the young nation’s desire to honour its founding father and establish shared national traditions.
In 1862, during the darkest days of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring 22nd February a day of celebration honouring -the “birth of the Father of his Country.” This gesture took on special significance as the nation fought to preserve the Union that Washington had helped create.
The tradition gained official status in 1879 when Congress passed legislation making Washington’s Birthday a federal holiday, initially only for government offices in Washington, D.C. In 1885, the holiday was expanded to include all federal employees nationwide. This made Washington’s Birthday the first federal holiday honouring *an individual American, a singular honour that reflected Washington’s unique place in the national consciousness.
A Birthday Twice Changed
The confusion surrounding Washington’s birthday actually begins with the date itself. Washington was born on 11th February 1731, according to the Julian calendar used in Britain and its American colonies at the time. However, in 1752, the British Empire switched to the more accurate Gregorian calendar that most of Europe had adopted in 1582.
This calendar reform required two adjustments. First, people born before 1752 had to add eleven days to their birth dates to account for the accumulated discrepancy between the calendars. Second, those born between 1st January and 25th March also had to add one year, because under the Julian calendar, the new year began in March rather than January.
As a result, Washington’s birthday shifted from 11th February 1731 (Old Style), to 22nd February 1732 (New Style). By the time Washington became president in 1789, he had long celebrated his birthday on 22nd February, and history records 1732 as his birth year. This adjustment explains why various historical sources cite different dates for Washington’s birth.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act: Trading History for Convenience
For nearly a century, Americans celebrated Washington’s Birthday on 22nd February, regardless of which day of the week it fell. This changed in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which President Lyndon Johnson signed into law on 28th June 1968. The legislation took effect on 1st January 1971.
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The act’s purpose was straightforward: create more three-day weekends for American workers by moving certain federal holidays to Mondays. Proponents argued this would bring “substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the Nation.” Federal employees would enjoy more long weekends, and businesses would benefit from increased tourism and retail sales during these extended breaks.
The legislation moved Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday in February. This placement created an ironic consequence: the holiday would now never fall on Washington’s actual birthday. The third Monday in February can occur between 15th and 21st February.
During congressional debates, some legislators recognised this problem. Tennessee Representative Dan Kuykendall offered a prescient warning: “If we do this, ten years from now our schoolchildren will not know what 22nd February means. They will not know or care when George Washington was born. They will know that in the middle of February, they will have a 3-day weekend for some reason. This will come.” His prediction proved largely accurate.
The act also moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May and Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, public outcry over moving Veterans Day from its historically significant date of 11th November (Armistice Day, marking World War I’s end) prompted Congress to return that holiday to its original date beginning in 1978. Washington’s Birthday, however, has remained on the third Monday in February.
The Presidents’ Day Controversy: What’s in a Name?
Despite widespread belief to the contrary, Congress has never officially renamed the federal holiday “Presidents’ Day.” The official designation remains “Washington’s Birthday.” However, the popular name “Presidents’ Day” has become so ubiquitous that most Americans, and many government entities, now use it instead.
The push to rename the holiday began in 1951 when Harold Stonebridge Fischer formed the President’s Day National Committee. The goal was to create a holiday honouring the office of the presidency rather than any specific individual. This proposal gained renewed attention during the 1968 debates over the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
Florida Senator George Smathers, who sponsored the Monday holiday legislation, stated his preference that “Washington’s Birthday would be changed to Presidents’ Day, to honour not only our first President but all of our Presidents.” However, Congress declined to make this change. The legislation explicitly named the holiday “Washington’s Birthday” with no mention of Lincoln or other presidents.
So how did “Presidents’ Day” become so widespread? Several factors contributed. First, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday falls on 12th February, and many Americans wanted to honour the Great Emancipator alongside the Father of His Country. Lincoln, who preserved the Union during the Civil War, abolished slavery, and articulated America’s democratic ideals in speeches like the Gettysburg Address, certainly deserves national recognition.
Second, when the holiday moved to the third Monday in February, it no longer fell on Washington’s birthday, making the name “Washington’s Birthday” seem less accurate. Calling it “Presidents’ Day” solved this apparent contradiction while allowing the observance to honour multiple presidents.
Third, retailers enthusiastically adopted “Presidents’ Day” for their sales promotions. The broader name allowed them to create more inclusive marketing campaigns. “Presidents’ Day Sales” became ubiquitous in advertising, further cementing the unofficial name in public consciousness.
Fourth, many state governments officially adopted variations of “Presidents’ Day.” According to current records, 31 states now observe “President’s Day,” “Presidents’ Day,” or some combination honouring both Washington and Lincoln. Nine states specifically celebrate only Washington’s Birthday, while nine others observe no holiday on the third Monday in February at all.
The apostrophe placement in the name adds another layer of confusion. “President’s Day” (singular possessive) suggests honouring one specific president. “Presidents’ Day” (plural possessive) suggests honouring multiple or all presidents. “Presidents Day” (no apostrophe) avoids the possessive entirely. State laws use all three variations, and there is no consensus on the correct form.
Fifty States, Many Celebrations
The federal government may call it Washington’s Birthday, but individual states have taken vastly different approaches to commemorating February’s presidential holiday. This patchwork of observances reflects differing regional attitudes toward history, tradition, and which presidents deserve recognition.
Several states maintain strong loyalty to the original purpose. Virginia, Washington’s home state, specifically celebrates “George Washington Day” and extends the observance throughout the entire month of February. Some Virginia communities hold elaborate celebrations, including re-enactments, tours of historic sites, and educational programs about Washington’s life.
In Laredo, Texas, an annual Washington Birthday Celebration that began in 1898 spans the entire month of February. This remarkable tradition, which predates most modern Presidents’ Day observances, includes parades, balls, concerts, and cultural events, making it one of the largest celebrations of Washington’s birthday anywhere in the nation.
Illinois, Iowa, Florida, and New York also specifically recognise Washington’s Birthday or George Washington Day rather than a generic Presidents’ Day. These states have chosen to maintain the historical focus on the nation’s first president rather than expanding the holiday’s scope.
Several states separately honour Lincoln. California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday as a distinct state holiday on 12th February. These observances recognise Lincoln’s unique contributions without conflating him with Washington or other presidents.
Massachusetts takes an unusual approach. The state celebrates “Washington’s Birthday” on the third Monday in February, but also requires the governor to issue an annual “Presidents Day” proclamation on 29th May John F. Kennedy’s birthday. This proclamation specifically honours presidents with Massachusetts roots: Kennedy, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Calvin Coolidge.
Some states have created unique combinations. Arkansas combines Washington’s Birthday with Daisy Gatson Bates Day, honouring the civil rights activist who played a crucial role in the desegregation of Little Rock schools. Missouri observes Washington’s Birthday on the third Monday in February and Lincoln’s Birthday on the Monday closest to 12th February.
New Mexico has perhaps the most unusual arrangement. While the third Monday in February remains the legal public holiday, state government employees actually get the Friday following Thanksgiving as their paid holiday, 1a practical compromise that provides a four-day Thanksgiving weekend.
Delaware does not observe Washington’s Birthday as a state holiday at all. Georgia no longer recognises it as a state government paid holiday, though until 2018 it was officially observed on Christmas Eve. Indiana observes Washington’s Birthday on Christmas Eve, while Lincoln’s Birthday falls on the day after Thanksgiving.
Modern Observances and Traditions
Despite the confusion over its name and purpose, Presidents’ Day has become an established part of the American calendar. The holiday provides a three-day weekend in mid-February, offering Americans a break during the typically cold and dreary period between New Year’s Day and the arrival of spring.
Federal offices, banks, post offices, and most schools close for the day. Stock markets are shuttered, and many private sector businesses give employees the day off, though retail stores typically remain open and often feature major sales promotions.
The most significant official observance occurs in the U.S. Senate, which continues a tradition dating back to 1862. Each year, a senator reads George Washington’s Farewell Address aloud on the Senate floor. This custom began during the Civil War when concerned citizens petitioned Congress to commemorate Washington’s birthday by reading the address. The tradition has continued unbroken ever since, serving as an annual reminder of Washington’s wisdom and the principles he articulated.=
George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate hosts special events on and around Presidents’ Day weekend. Visitors can tour Washington’s home, explore the grounds, and participate in programs about his life and legacy. The estate typically offers free admission on 22nd February(Washington’s actual birthday) to encourage Americans to learn more about the first president.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., also see increased visitation around Presidents’ Day. Many visitors use the long weekend to explore presidential history at these and other sites, including presidential libraries, birthplaces, and memorials across the country.
Schools that remain open in the days before the holiday often use the occasion for educational activities. Students learn about presidential history, read biographies, create art projects featuring presidents, and discuss the qualities of effective leadership. Some schools organise mock elections or debates to engage students with democratic processes.
Naturalisation ceremonies, events where immigrants become U.S. citizens, are sometimes scheduled on or near Presidents’ Day. This timing adds symbolic significance, as new citizens take their oath of allegiance while the nation honours its presidential heritage.
The retail aspect of Presidents’ Day has become perhaps its most visible feature. Major department stores, automobile dealerships, furniture stores, and electronics retailers offer extensive sales promotions. While purists may lament this commercialisation, these sales events have made Presidents’ Day one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, fulfilling Congress’s original hope that Monday holidays would boost economic activity.
Two Presidents Worth Remembering
Whether the holiday officially honours one president or many, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln stand out as the two most closely associated with February’s presidential commemoration. Their legacies justify the attention, as both men shaped America during its most critical moments.
Washington created the American presidency. His leadership established precedents and norms that continue to define the office. He showed that executive power could be wielded effectively while remaining subordinate to constitutional law. He demonstrated that leaders could voluntarily relinquish power rather than clinging to it indefinitely. He navigated the treacherous early years of the republic, keeping the nation intact while it developed stable institutions.
Lincoln saved the American presidency, and the nation itself. He led the country through its greatest existential crisis, the Civil War, when the very survival of the United States hung in the balance. He expanded the meaning of American freedom by ending slavery, transforming a republic that tolerated bondage into one committed, at least in principle, to universal liberty. His eloquent speeches articulated democratic ideals that continue to inspire people worldwide.
Both men faced overwhelming challenges. Washington had to create something entirely new: a democratic republic on a continental scale with a strong executive that would not become tyrannical. Lincoln had to preserve something precious: the Union that Washington helped create, while also perfecting it by eliminating its greatest moral stain.
Both demonstrated moral courage in the face of enormous pressure. Washington could have become king; he chose to be citizen. Lincoln could have preserved the Union by compromising on slavery; he chose to end it despite the political and military risks. Both prioritized national interest over personal ambition, setting examples that later presidents have struggled to match.
Their February birthdays, Washington on the 22nd, Lincoln on the 12th, making the third Monday in February an appropriate time to honour both men, even if doing so wasn’t Congress’s original intent.
Should We Honour All Presidents?
The evolution toward “Presidents’ Day” raises an interesting question: should Americans honour all presidents equally, or should some presidents receive special recognition while others are merely acknowledged? This question has sparked ongoing debate among historians, educators, and citizens.
Proponents of honouring all presidents argue that the office itself deserves respect regardless of who holds it. Every president has had to make difficult decisions under enormous pressure. The presidency is uniquely demanding, and anyone who serves in the role contributes to the nation’s ongoing story. A presidents’ day that honours all occupants of the office teaches respect for democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power.
Critics counter that not all presidents deserve equal honour. Some presidents were ineffective, corrupt, or made decisions that caused lasting harm. Ranking presidents has become a cottage industry among historians, with surveys regularly identifying the greatest presidents (typically Washington, Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt) and the worst (often including James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Warren Harding, and others).
By this reasoning, creating a generic president’s holiday dilutes the exceptional achievements of truly great leaders. Washington and Lincoln earned individual recognition through extraordinary contributions during defining moments in American history. Grouping them with all other presidents, including those who failed spectacularly, diminishes their unique significance.
Perhaps the best approach is to use the holiday as an opportunity for critical reflection on presidential history. Americans can honour the office and its best occupants while also honestly examining presidential failures and mistakes. The holiday provides an occasion to teach younger generations about both presidential greatness and presidential shortcomings, helping them understand what qualities make for effective leadership.
A Day for Reflection
Presidents’ Day, whatever we call it, serves an important function in American civic life. It provides a moment to reflect on leadership, history, and the qualities that make a great president. It reminds us that individual leaders matter—that Washington’s character shaped the presidency, that Lincoln’s resolve saved the Union, and that the decisions made by those who occupy the Oval Office have profound consequences.
The confusion surrounding the holiday’s name and purpose is perhaps appropriate. America’s relationship with its leaders has always been complicated, mixing reverence with scepticism, gratitude with criticism. Americans want heroes to admire but also insist on holding leaders accountable. They celebrate presidential achievements while remaining alert to presidential overreach.
The holiday’s evolution from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents’ Day (unofficial though it may be) reflects changing American attitudes. The original holiday honoured a singular founding father, reflecting early America’s need for unifying national symbols. The modern observance, broader, reflects a more complex and diverse nation that recognises multiple perspectives on history and leadership.
Whether Americans spend the third Monday in February shopping for bargains, visiting presidential sites, or simply enjoying a day off work, the holiday serves as an annual reminder of the democratic tradition of civilian leadership. It celebrates the principle that in America, ultimate power rests with the people, who periodically select citizens to exercise temporary authority on their behalf.
So on Presidents’ Day, or Washington’s Birthday, if you prefer, Americans do well to pause and reflect on the leaders who have shaped their nation. They can honour Washington’s integrity, Lincoln’s courage, and the best qualities displayed by other presidents while remaining clear-eyed about leadership failures and missed opportunities. In doing so, they participate in the ongoing American experiment in self-government, learning from the past while working toward a better future. That is a legacy worth celebrating, whatever we call the holiday.
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