Presidents Day, officially Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. This day is set aside to honor the presidents of the United States, with particular reverence for George Washington, the nation’s first president. But pinpointing the exact date and understanding the evolution of this holiday can be a bit more complex than it initially seems.
George Washington portrait, a copy of a Gilbert Stuart painting, created in the early 1930s for the George Washington Bicentennial Commission, showcasing a historical depiction of the first US President.
The Fixed Date and the Shift to Monday
Originally, George Washington’s Birthday was observed on February 22nd, his actual revised birth date after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752. He was born on February 11, 1731, under the Julian calendar, but the calendar change adjusted his birth date forward by 11 days and a year. For many years, Americans celebrated Washington’s Birthday on February 22nd, long before it became an official federal holiday.
The journey to federal recognition began with national celebrations marking the centennial of Washington’s birth. In 1832, Congress took a first step by adjourning on February 22nd as a sign of respect and commemoration. Later, in 1862, both the House and Senate marked the 130th anniversary by publicly reading Washington’s Farewell Address, an event initiated by a memorial from citizens of Philadelphia. This reading eventually became an annual tradition in the Senate, demonstrating the growing importance of Washington’s legacy.
It wasn’t until January 31, 1879, that Washington’s Birthday was officially declared a legal holiday. Initially, this applied only to federal employees in the District of Columbia, and even then, paid leave was not guaranteed for all. By 1885, Congress addressed this inconsistency, ensuring that all federal employees nationwide would be paid for federal holidays, including Washington’s Birthday.
The Monday Holiday Law and the Date We Know Today
The date of celebration remained February 22nd until the late 1960s. In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law, designed to create more three-day weekends by shifting the observance of certain federal holidays to Mondays. This law, intended to boost both “spiritual and economic life of the Nation,” moved Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday in February.
This change, while creating convenient long weekends, inadvertently ensured that Presidents Day would never fall on George Washington’s actual birthday, as the third Monday in February can only occur as late as February 21st. Therefore, Presidents Day, as we observe it now, always falls between February 15th and February 21st.
Presidents Day: More Than Just Washington
While the official name of the holiday remains “Washington’s Birthday,” it has colloquially become known as “Presidents Day.” This shift in popular understanding reflects a broader intention to honor all U.S. presidents, past and present. It is important to note that neither Congress nor any President has officially renamed the holiday to “Presidents’ Day.” The widespread use of this name likely emerged as a natural evolution, expanding the scope of the holiday beyond just commemorating George Washington to include the collective leadership of the American presidency.
Letter from Chief Justice John Marshall to Henry Clay and Philemon Thomas in 1832, discussing arrangements for the centennial celebration of George Washington’s birth, highlighting early national commemorations.
A memorial from Philadelphia citizens in 1862, petitioning for the reading of George Washington’s Farewell Address to Congress and the military on his birthday, illustrating the growing tradition of honoring Washington.
S. 623 bill from the Senate, proposing February 22nd as George Washington’s Birthday holiday, showcasing the legislative steps towards federal holiday recognition in the late 19th century.
Petition from John W. Thompson in 1878, advocating for paid holidays for all federal workers, demonstrating the push for consistent holiday pay for federal employees.
Conclusion: Presidents Day in Context
So, Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February each year. It’s a holiday rooted in honoring George Washington but has broadened to become a day to recognize all U.S. presidents. While the date is now fixed to a Monday for convenience, understanding its historical origins on February 22nd and its evolution through legislative changes offers a richer appreciation of this important American holiday. This annual observance provides an opportunity to reflect on the leadership and history of the American presidency, celebrated on a date that, while not Washington’s actual birthday, is a direct descendant of that original commemoration.
