Impress Your Friends With Presidents Day Facts

Every year, the third Monday in February is designated in the United States as a federal holiday, commonly known as Presidents Day. Most people know it as a day off. Some think of it as a day to shop. But how many know why we celebrate it? Let’s review the facts:

• The holiday is not officially called Presidents Day. Instead, it is called Washington's Birthday. The holiday was created to commemorate President George Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22, 1732), however it is commonly referred to as Presidents Day as a way to include President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12, 1809) as well. There was an attempt by Congress in 1968 to officially name it Presidents' Day, but it died in committee.  
  
  
• In the 17^th century, George Washington’s birthday was celebrated every year, albeit unofficially. This tradition started years before Washington had died. However, it became a federal holiday when President Chester Arthur signed it to law in 1885.
  
  
• The holiday was originally celebrated every year on Feb. 22; however the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 changed that to the third Monday of February. The reason for this was to move certain federal holidays to Mondays.
  
  
• States are not required to adopt federal holidays, which only affect federal offices and agencies. Thus, the states have a right to call this holiday what they want.  In New Jersey, “Washington’s Birthday” is celebrated and “Lincoln’s Birthday” is also an official state holiday. In Massachusetts, the state celebrates “Washington’s Birthday” and has their own "Presidents Day" on May 29 to celebrate Massachusetts born Presidents. Alabama observes the day as "Washington and Jefferson Day,” even though Thomas Jefferson's birthday is in April.
  
  
• In honor of the famous tale that George Washington “could not tell a lie” when he chopped down a cherry tree, a common tradition to celebrate Washington’s Birthday is by eating a desert made with cherries.
  
  
• Traditionally, Presidents Day is a big shopping day. In the 1980’s, retailers began to use the holiday as a way to clear out winter stock in preparation for spring and summer items. Thus, began the annual tradition of Presidents Day sales.
  
  
• Because Presidents Day isn’t an official federal holiday, the way it is spelled varies.  Both “Presidents Day” and “Presidents' Day” are common spellings, and both are considered correct by dictionaries and usage manuals. However, the name “President’s Day” is universally regarded as incorrect.
  
  
• Since 1862, the United States Senate has read George Washington’s Farewell Address on his actual birthday, Feb. 22.

So now you know all about Presidents Day. Any questions?