Is Presidents Day a federal holiday - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Presidents Day is a federal holiday in the United States, which means that all non-essential federal government offices are closed on this day.
- 2. Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February each year. This holiday was originally established in 1885 in honor of George Washington's birthday, which falls on February 22nd.
- 3. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted the observance of Washington's birthday from February 22nd to the third Monday in February. This created a three-day weekend for workers and helped to promote tourism and retail sales.
- 4. While the holiday is still officially called "Washington's Birthday" by the federal government, it is commonly referred to as Presidents Day and is seen as a day to honor all U.S. presidents, past and present.
- 5. Many states also observe Presidents Day as a holiday, with schools, banks, and businesses often closing for the day.
- 6. Some states, like California, even celebrate Presidents Day as a state holiday, with state government offices closed for the day.
- 7. Presidents Day is a popular time for retailers to hold sales and promotions, as many people have the day off and use it as an opportunity to shop.
- 8. In recent years, some states have also used Presidents Day as an opportunity to celebrate other historical figures, such as Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12th.
- 9. Presidents Day is not a nationwide paid holiday for all workers, as it is up to individual employers to decide whether or not to give their employees the day off.
- 10. Overall, Presidents Day is a day to reflect on the contributions of the nation's leaders and to celebrate the history and heritage of the United States.