Presidents' Day in United States
Quick Facts
Washington's Birthday, or Presidents' Day, honors the life and work of the first president of the United States, George Washington.Name
Presidents' DayAlternative name
Washington's BirthdayPresidents' Day 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008Presidents' Day 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009See list of observations below
Washington's Birthday is a federal holiday held on the third Monday in February. It originally honored the life and work of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Now, other presidents are also honored on this day, which is why it is often known as Presidents' Day.
George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. This illustration is based on artwork from ©iStockphoto.com/DaddyBit
What do people do?
Washington's Birthday, is officially to honor the life and work of the first president of the United States, George Washington. Some people see it as an opportunity to commemorate all past presidents of the United States. Washington's Birthday is sometimes known as Presidents' Day. Some states pay particular attention to Abraham Lincoln, as his birthday was also in mid-February. In the week before the holiday, schools often organize events and lessons to educate their students about the presidents of the United States and George Washington in particular. It is a popular day for stores to start their sales.Public life
Most businesses are open as usual and many stores hold sales on Washington's Birthday. Most delivery services, except for the Post Office, have a regular service and most, but not all, public transit systems operate on regular schedules. Some schools close for the whole week for a mid-Winter recess. Many Americans do not actually do anything special to celebrate Washington's Birthday, but just enjoy a day off work or school. Others see the marking of Washington's Birthday as an important reminder of the contributions made by the first president of a young country.Background
George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. His first term as president was from 1789 to 1793 and his second term from 1793 to 1797. Before he became president, he played important roles in the military, leading the American Continental Army to victory over the British in 1783. Washington is often seen as the father of the United States and is probably the best known American politician ever.The likeness and name of George Washington can still be seen in many places in the United States. The most dramatic is the portrait of him and the other first four American presidents carved into Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. His image is also used on the one-dollar bill and the quarter-dollar coin. The capital of the United States, Washington D.C., Washington State and at least three universities are named after him.
Washington's Birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in the District of Columbia in 1880. It was made a federal holiday in 1885. The holiday was originally held on the anniversary of George Washington's birth, on February 22. In 1971, this holiday was moved to the third Monday in February.
Presidents' Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Feb 18 | 1980 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 1981 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1982 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 1983 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 1984 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 1985 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1986 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 1987 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1988 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 1989 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 1990 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 1991 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1992 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1993 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 1994 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 1995 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 1996 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1997 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 1998 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1999 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2000 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 2001 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2002 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 2003 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2004 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2005 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 2006 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 2007 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2008 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2009 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 2010 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2011 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 2012 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2013 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 2014 | Presidents' Day | National holiday | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2015 | Presidents' Day | National holiday |
Related holiday
Other holidays in February 2008 in United States
- National Freedom Day (Friday, February 1, 2008)
- Carnival/Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)
- Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)
- Lincoln's Birthday (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)
- Valentine's Day (Thursday, February 14, 2008)
- Daisy Gatson Bates Day (Monday, February 18, 2008)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
