What is Presidents’ Day?

Presidents’ Day is a holiday to celebrate the birthdays of George Washington, Abraham Linclon, and all of the Presidents of the United States—right? Well, not exactly. It should have been this simple, but somewhere between the state and federal governments, Presidents’ Day became something altogether confusing. This article will explain the confusing aspects of Presidents’ Day and offer an opinion about how Presidents’ Day can be observed in a simple way.


Background

Before the idea of Presidents’ Day existed, George Washington’s Birthday was observed as a holiday since 1796. It was then proclaimed a federal holiday in 1885. Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday was also observed as a holiday in several states from the year 1865, but it was never officially established as a holiday by the federal government. These two holidays were observed by the public without any difficulty or confusion until 1968.


Legislation

The federal government reviewed legislation in 1968 that proposed to move Washington’s Birthday on the calendar from being celebrated on his birthday (February 22), to being observed on the third Monday of February. Along with this proposal was another suggestion—to change the name of the holiday to Presidents’ Day. This would make it possible to integrate Lincoln’s Birthday with Washington’s Birthday and also to celebrate all other Presidents of the United States on the same day. As events transpired, the federal government changed George Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday of February as planned. The change took place in 1971 with the introduction of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The federal government did not, however, combine Lincoln’s birthday with the holiday, and they did not change the name to Presidents’ Day.


Run That By Me One More Time, Please

What resulted from the federal government’s changes was a public that was thoroughly confused. George Washington’s birthday was to be celebrated on a day that was not his birthday. The holiday would be celebrated on a date that was between Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday and George Washington’s Birthday. These changes made it appear that the proposed changes had been accepted by the federal government, and that the new holiday called “Presidents’ Day” had emerged. Little did anyone know that what had actually emerged was merely the federal government’s interest of conveniently having Washington’s Birthday on Mondays. Hooray! 


So What Day is It Again?

The federal government and the states make independent decisions about holidays. The holiday that is now observed on the third Monday of February by the federal government is still officially known as Washington’s Birthday. Some states still observe Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday on his actual birthday (February 12) and additionally observe Washington’s Birthday (on the third Monday of February). Other states observe Presidents’ Day to honor George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the other Presidents of the United States, but the federal government still recognizes this day as George Washington’s Birthday.

If all of this is as clear as mud to you, then you understand it as well as everyone else does.


Honoring Our Presidents

Many people enjoy having the third Monday of February off of work, or at least they recognize the day as a holiday of some sort. Whether it is celebrated as Washington’s Birthday, or Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, or as Presidents’ Day, it makes sense to observe this day in respect for all who have served as Presidents of the United States. It seems worthwhile to remember this holiday as something more than “the third Monday of February.” On this day let us remember the courage and character of the great men who have preserved our nation and our freedom.

Regardless of what the holiday is called by the federal or state governments, it is left to individual American citizens to determine the significance of Presidents’ Day. When the children of America awaken on the third Monday of February, they should have no reservation in saying, “Today is Presidents’ Day.”

For a history of George Washington, please click here, or click the picture.

For a history of Abraham Lincoln, please click here, or click the picture.
     

- Article by Wes Fessler

Sources:

1. patriotism.org,  “Presidents’ Day”
http://www.patriotism.org/presidents%5Fday/  [Accessed 29 June 2007]

2. Imbornoni, Ann Marie,  “Presidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday?”
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/washington1.html [Accessed 29 June 2007]

3. cfif.org,  No Title
http://www.cfif.org/htdocs/freedomline/current/quiz_images/02_16_06.html
[Accessed 29 June 2007]

4. wikipedia.org,  “Presidents Day (United States)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents_Day_%28United_States%29 
[Accessed 29 June 2007]