Presidents' Day is an American federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Though officially called Washington's Birthday, it honors all U.S. Presidents. It was the first federal holiday created to honor an individual American leader. Learn about Washington and Lincoln!

Do you ever get a long weekend in February and wonder why you get the day off from school? It’s Presidents’ Day, a super important holiday to celebrate the people who have led our country!

This special day is officially called Washington's Birthday, honoring the very first President, George Washington, whose actual birthday is February 22nd. It was the first federal holiday created to honor an individual American! But over time, the celebration grew bigger and now it’s often a day to remember all the U.S. Presidents who have served.

Mira

Mira says:

"It's so cool how the holiday started for just one amazing leader, George Washington, but now we remember so many! It shows how many important choices and big changes have happened in America's history!"

What is Presidents’ Day Officially About?

Even though lots of people call it Presidents’ Day, the official federal name is still Washington’s Birthday! The celebration really took off to honor the first president, who led the Continental Army to victory against the British during the American Revolution.

But wait, there’s another huge leader often included! We can’t talk about this holiday without mentioning Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, whose birthday is February 12th. Lincoln led the country through the very tough time of the Civil War and helped end slavery.

Mind-Blowing Fact!

George Washington is the only president who was unanimously elected—that means *everyone* who voted agreed on him!

How Did Washington's Birthday Become Presidents' Day?

The story of the date is a bit like a game of musical chairs! Originally, Washington's birthday was celebrated on February 22nd. But in 1968, Congress passed something called the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill to give workers more three-day weekends.

This bill moved Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday in February. This date always falls between Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22nd) and Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12th). People started calling the new Monday date 'Presidents' Day' to include Lincoln, even though Congress didn't officially vote to change the name!

1879 Year Washington's Birthday became a federal holiday
Third Monday When the holiday is celebrated today
1789–1797 Washington's two terms as President

How Did the Date Change for Three-Day Weekends?

Think about trying to plan a fun, two-day trip if your day off was in the middle of the week! That’s what Congress thought too.

The idea was to make holidays more convenient for everyone, especially federal employees, by lining them up on Mondays.

The Retail Rush!

Believe it or not, part of why the name 'Presidents' Day' stuck is because of shopping! In the 1980s, stores started using the long weekend to have big sales. They called it 'Presidents' Day' to get more people excited to shop, and the name just became super popular for kids and adults alike!

💡 Did You Know?

While the federal holiday is for Washington, some states still officially celebrate it as 'George Washington Day' or even combine it with Thomas Jefferson, whose birthday is in April!

🎯 Quick Quiz!

What is the *official* federal name for the holiday we often call Presidents' Day?

A) Lincoln's Birthday
B) The Great Leaders Day
C) Washington's Birthday
D) The Third Monday Holiday

Who Else Do We Celebrate on Presidents' Day?

Even though Washington and Lincoln get most of the spotlight because their birthdays are so close to the holiday, the modern idea is to think about all the U.S. Presidents.

Every person who became President had a big job leading our country through tough times and making important decisions about our laws and future. This day is a great time to think about leadership!

  • George Washington: The first President, leading the fight for America's independence.
  • Abraham Lincoln: Led the nation to stay united during the Civil War.
  • All Presidents: People who have taken the oath of office to lead the United States since 1789.

Did you know George Washington created the very first U.S. military badge of merit, which is now known as the Purple Heart award? Celebrating Presidents' Day is a fantastic way for us to remember the brave leaders who helped build the United States for kids like you to learn about today!

Questions Kids Ask About Holidays

What is Presidents' Day officially called?
Officially, the federal holiday is still named Washington's Birthday, honoring the first U.S. President. The name 'Presidents' Day' became popular later, especially through retail sales.
Which two presidents' birthdays are connected to Presidents' Day?
Presidents' Day is observed on the third Monday of February, which falls between the birthdays of George Washington (February 22nd) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12th).
Why did Congress move the holiday date?
Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill in 1968 to move several holidays to Mondays. This change was made to give federal workers more convenient three-day weekends.
What did George Washington do for the country?
George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army that won the American Revolution and then served as the very first President of the United States.

Keep Exploring Our Leaders!

So next time you have that Monday off, remember the amazing history behind the day! From Washington leading the army to Lincoln saving the Union, these leaders helped shape the country you live in. Keep reading and listening to learn more about all the amazing people in history!