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Is This Holiday Called Presidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday?

Although the holiday is most often called “Presidents’ Day,” the observed federal holiday is officially called “Washington’s Birthday.”

Neither Congress nor the president has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to Presidents’ Day. Additionally, Congress has never declared a national holiday binding in all states; each state has the freedom to determine its legal holidays. This is why there are some calendar discrepancies when it comes to this holiday’s date. .

So Why Is Washington’s Birthday Commonly Called Presidents’ Day?

In a sense, calling the holiday Presidents’ Day helps us reflect on not just the first president but also our nation’s founding, its values, and what Washington calls in his Farewell Address the “beloved Constitution and union, as received from the Founders.” Also, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is February 12, so by calling the holiday “Presidents’ Day,” we can also include another remarkable president in our celebrations.

Today, many calendars list the third Monday of February as Presidents’ Day, just as many U.S. states do. Of course, all of the 3-day retail store sales are called “Presidents’ Day” sales, and this vernacular has also been influential in how we reference the holiday.

When Is Presidents’ Day?

Presidents’ Day is observed annually on the third Monday in February. In 2025, Presidents’ Day will be celebrated on Monday, February 17. 

Presidents’ Day History

Historically, Americans began celebrating George Washington’s Birthday just months after his death, long before Congress declared it a federal holiday. It was not until 1879, under President Rutherford B. Hayes, that Washington’s Birthday became a legal holiday, to be observed on his birthday, February 22.  

Washington’s birthday was celebrated on February 22 until well into the 20th century. In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law to “provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays.” By creating more 3-day weekends, Congress hoped to “bring substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the Nation.”

Is Presidents’ Day a Federal Holiday?

Today, George Washington’s Birthday is one of only 11 permanent federal holidays established by Congress observed each year. One of the great traditions followed for decades has been the reading of  by a U.S. senator in legislative session, which remains an annual event to this day.

When Is George Washington’s Real Birthday?

Although the federal holiday is held on a Monday (the third Monday of February), George Washington’s birthday is observed on February 22. To complicate matters, Washington was actually born on February 11, 1731! How can that be?

George Washington was born when the Julian calendar was in use. During Washington’s lifetime, people in Great Britain and America switched the official calendar system from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar (something that most of Europe had already done in 1582).

As a result of this calendar reform, people born before 1752 were told to add 11 days to their birth dates. Those born between January 1 and March 25, as Washington was, also had to add 1 year to be in sync with the new calendar.

By the time Washington became president in 1789, he celebrated his birthday on February 22 and listed his birth year as 1732.

To summarize, Washington’s birthday changed from February 11, 1731 (Old-Style Julian calendar), to February 22, 1732 (New-Style Gregorian calendar).

Myths About Washington

Legend has it that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree when he was 6 years old and, when confronted by his father, said, “I can not tell a lie. I did it with my hatchet.”

Well, we can not tell a lie, either. Washington didn’t say this; he didn’t even chop down the tree! This tale was, in fact, concocted by Parson Mason Weems (1759–1825), one of Washington’s biographers, who made up the story hoping to demonstrate Washington’s honesty.

This tale is not the only myth about Washington. His wooden dentures? They weren’t made of wood; they were made of hippopotamus teeth that had been filed down to fit into Washington’s mouth.

Cherry Recipes

It’s also just a myth that George Washington confessed to chopping down a cherry tree. But the story inspired our delicious No-Lie Cherry Pie recipe! Plus, enjoy more cherry recipes.

• No-Lie Cherry Pie
• Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies
• Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
• Cherry Berry Pie
• Cherry Bounce (alcoholic drink)

George Washington Quote

Upon entering office, Washington was not convinced he was the right man for the job. He wrote, “My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.” Fortunately for the young country, he was wrong.

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
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Do you do anything special to celebrate Presidents’ Day? Let us know in the comments!