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How Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays morphed into Presidents Day
The 195th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth is commemorated with a wreath laying ceremony on Feb. 12, 2004, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Lincoln's birthday actually falls on Feb. 12, but is now observed as a national holiday on Presidents Day, Feb. 16, which combines the birthdays of Lincoln and George Washington.
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How Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays morphed into Presidents Day
How Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays morphed into Presidents Day
Americans of a certain age may remember two February holidays that honored noteworthy presidents. Here's the story about how the two became a catch-all holiday four decades ago.
Since the late 19th century, the federal government has recognized George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22 as a holiday. Many states also set aside Feb. 12 to honor Abraham Lincoln.
The double dose of presidential holidays changed 40 years ago, after Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holidays law. That legislation mandated Monday observances for several holidays that used to fall on different days of the week.
The intent was to allow longer weekends and more family time for vacation-starved Americans, and to minimize the business disruptions that accompany mid-week holidays.
Although it still honors the first president – known as the father of his country – and the 16th – who preserved the United States amid a bloody civil war – Presidents Day has also become a day to hail all 44 American commanders in chief. That’s why most government services, courts, public schools, banks and post offices are closed today.
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