President's Day started in 1880 when the United States government decided to implement it as a federal holiday in celebration of the first President George Washington. However, it is now often recognized as a holiday where Americans celebrate all the Presidents of the United States.
Fast Facts:
- Federal holiday
- Started in 1880
- Began in honor of President George Washington
- Celebrated on the 3rd Monday of February
- Originally celebrated on February 22, Washington's birthday
- Official legal name: Washington's Birthday
- Celebrated only in the United States
- The state of Virginia calls it George Washington Day
Origins
President's day began in 1880 in Washington D.C., but by 1885, the holiday was observed by all of the states within the nation. It was originally intended to honor the birth of America's first president, George Washington, however, there soon came a bill to make it a day that honored both Washington and fellow president Abraham Lincoln; this bill did not pass.
Regionalisms
Within certain states, President's Day is honored differently. For example, in Alabama, it is honored as Washington and Jefferson day. In Massachusetts, the day is used to honor all of the presidents who came from Massachusetts.
Commercialism
Despite the fact that President's Day is a federal holiday, since the 1980s there has been a marked increase in the number of businesses that stay open and have sales on this day.
