Americans celebrate Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ Day is a public holiday in the United States. It is traditionally celebrated on the third Monday of February. February is known as the birth month of two of the country’s most distinguished presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Washington and Lincoln, who led the United States through its most difficult times, have long been deeply admired by many people. Presidents’ Day is now a celebration of the birthdays and honoring of all American presidents.

Presidents’ Day is usually celebrated with public ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and around the country. Although many government offices will be closed, a number of businesses are offering special holiday sales.

The origin of Presidents’ Day dates back to the 1880s, when the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, became a federal holiday.

At the time, Washington was revered as the most important figure in American history. Many events, such as the centennial of his birth in 1832 and the start of construction of the Washington Monument in 1848, became occasions for national celebrations.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved several federal holidays to one day. This change was intended to schedule holidays so that workers could take advantage of the long days off. However, the law was criticized by those Americans who felt that these holidays should be celebrated on the dates on which they originally fell.

During the debate on the bill, it was suggested that Washington’s birthday be renamed Presidents’ Day to honor the birthdays of Washington (Feb. 22) and Lincoln (Feb. 12). Although Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated in many states, it was never an official federal holiday. After much debate, Congress rejected the name change.

However, after the bill went into effect in 1971, Presidents’ Day became a recognized name, partly because retailers used the name to promote sales, but also because it was a holiday for Lincoln’s birthday.