Americans are only just realizing the truth of how Presidents’ Day began
by themoneyoffice2.com@gmail.com February 19, 2024 · Holidays
MILLIONS of Americans woke up Monday morning to a much-needed day off from work and school thanks to the federal holiday that falls during the third week of February each year.
The holiday was originally established to honor the nation’s first president, George Washington, but it is referred to by a variety of names across the country.
HOW DID THE HOLIDAY START?
The federal holiday was first established in 1885 to celebrate the birthday of Washington on February 22.
However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the holiday was restructured to recognize the past and current presidents of the nation.
As part of the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act championed by Senator Robert McClory, the law was created to observe certain public holidays on Mondays.
The act was also developed to provide federal employees with more three-day weekends.
Read More on Presidents’ Day
Senator McClory even coined the idea of remaining the holiday Presidents’ Day.
Washington’s birthday would be affected under the proposed law and be celebrated yearly on the third Monday of February – losing the essence of his birthday.
In 1971, the US officially began celebrating Washington’s birthday, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday – February 12 – and the remembrance of all presidents on the third Monday of February.
The legislation also moved Columbus Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day from their traditional designated dates.
During the early 2000s, Congress members took measures to restore and recognize Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays individually.
However, the proposed legislation failed to gain traction.
WHAT IS IT CALLED?
Here is a complete list of what different states call the federal holiday:
Washington’s Birthday
George Washington’s Day
Lincoln/Washington Presidents’ Day
Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthdays
Lincoln’s and Washington’s Birthdays
George Washington / Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday
George Washington’s Birthday & Daisy Gatson Bates Day
George Washington’s Birthday / President’s Day
Washington’s Birthday/President’s Day
President’s Day
Presidents’ Day
Presidents Day
WHO DOESN’T OBSERVE THE HOLIDAY?
Only nine states don’t observe the late February holiday, leaving many still in the office or schools on Monday.
Surprisingly, Delaware – the first state to ratify the US Constitution – is one of the few.
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin all also do not recognize President’s Day as a public holiday.
Additionally, Florida does not recognize President’s Day as a holiday in the state.
However, the Florida Senate does list February 12, “Lincoln’s Birthday,” as a legal holiday.
