Federal holiday honors Washington and Lincoln while reflecting on leadership, civic duty, and local history
Presidents’ Day, observed on the third Monday in February, began as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday and has evolved into a broader reflection on American leadership — including the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the office of the presidency itself.
The holiday traces its roots to Washington’s birthday on February 22. After his death in 1799, communities across the young nation marked the day in remembrance of the first president and Revolutionary War general. In 1879, Washington’s Birthday became a federal holiday for government offices in Washington, D.C., and in 1885 it was expanded nationwide…