Presidents’ Day

Technically, George Washington was born on February 11th under the Julian calendar, which was still in use for the first 20 years of Washington’s life.  The Gregorian calendar, intended to more accurately mark the solar year, was adopted in 1752, and added 11 days.  Washington’s birthday moved to February 22nd.

In 1879, Washington’s birthday on February 22nd became a legal holiday for federal employees in the District of Columbia.

In 1885, it grew to include the entire nation.  (Joining just four other bank holidays that the federal government recognized at that time: Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day.)

Some states like New York (not the federal government), also celebrated Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th 1809.  Lincoln’s birthday was never a federal holiday.

Congress proposed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The idea was to move several holidays to various Mondays throughout the year, giving workers a few three-day weekends off. During debate on the bill, it was proposed that Washington’s Birthday be renamed Presidents’ Day to honor the birthdays of both Washington and Lincoln. Following much discussion, Congress rejected the name change. But the idea of adding more three-day weekends was popular enough that the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed Congress in 1968.

In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect. Washington's Birthday holiday was moved from February 22 to the third Monday of the month.  That it splits the difference between Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays is probably not a coincidence, but it is nothing official. The third Monday in February remains only "Washington's Birthday" in federal law. 

However, many states have official variations which include: Washington and Lincoln’s Birthday; Presidents’ Day; Washington’s Birthday; Washington and Jefferson Day.  And some states have a separate state holiday for President’s Day.

The holiday was never ‘President’s Day’ at the federal level but that has become its unofficial title.

Some object to honoring all presidents, just because they had been president, and do not like the title President’s Day.  I’m sure the readers could quickly name a few!

However, if you are going to honor February birth presidents, another president that many feel deserves special recognition was born on February 6th; Ronald Reagan.