‘Presidents Day’ Federal Holiday: Government offices, schools, banks, and federal offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents Day. Presidents Day celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. This federal holiday is observed annually on the third Monday of February. Most stores will remain open on this day.
Government offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents day. The holiday is recognized across the United States, affecting schools, banks, and federal offices, though most retail stores will remain open.
What is Presidents Day?
Presidents Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday, was originally established to honor George Washington, the first U.S. president. Washington was born on February 11, 1731, under the Julian calendar, but after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752, his birth date shifted to February 22, 1732.Over time, the holiday also came to honor Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12. The date placement between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln led to the common use of the term Presidents Day.
How Did Presidents Day Become a Federal Holiday?
In 1885, Congress established February 22 as a federal holiday for all government workers, originally known as Washington’s Birthday to honor George Washington. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted the observance to the third Monday of February, aiming to create more three-day weekends and minimize disruptions to the workweek.
Although the holiday is often mistakenly thought to celebrate all U.S. presidents, it was specifically created to honor Washington and, to a lesser extent, Abraham Lincoln. According to the National Archives, this holiday holds historical significance as the first federal holiday dedicated to commemorating an individual’s birth date.
