Presidents' Day refers to more than one president while President's Day refers to one President. Some spell it President's Day and some spell it Presidents' Day. Some occur weeks ahead as the holiday sometimes falls during the week that school is closed for mid-winter recess. Schools often organize lessons and other activities for their students in the days leading up to the holiday. Since 1888, George Washington's Farewell Address has been read in the senate on February 22nd of most years. It became common in the late 1980s for retailers to use Presidents' Day as a day to sell off old stock. When asked if he'd cut down a cherry tree, George Washington said he could not tell a lie. The reason for the popularity of cherries relates directly to a story about George Washington. George Washington is featured on the quarter dollar coin and the one dollar bill.Ĭherries are very popular when making desserts for celebrating George Washington's birthday. There are three universities and the capital of the United States, Washington DC named after George Washington, as is Washington State. Many states still celebrate his birthday along with George Washington's. Hayes signed the bill making February 22nd a federal holiday.Ībraham Lincoln's birthday falls closely to George Washington but his is not a federal holiday. In 1879, approximately one century later, President Rutherford B. Many believe he is the most important politician in American history. Under his leadership, the American Continental Army defeated the British in 1783. George Washington had important military roles prior to becoming president. George Washington was president for two terms, from 1789 to 1793, and 1793 to 1797. In the 1700s, George Washington's birthday was celebrated while he was still alive, and many in the U.S. Even though George's birthday was February 22nd, the day is officially celebrated on the third Monday in February. Presidents' Day/Washington's Birthday is a federal holiday in the United States. Some states also celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday at this time as well. Still many states choose to call this day Presidents' Day instead of Washington's Birthday. Although there was an attempt in 1968 to officially call the third Monday in February Presidents' Day, it failed. The day is meant to celebrate George Washington and all the presidents of the U.S. It is also known as Washington's Birthday, after George Washington, the first president of the United States.
Presidents' Day falls on the third Monday in February in the United States.