History of President’s Day.
On the third Monday of February each year, schools are closed in observance of President’s Day. However, the history of this day is somewhat complex and rooted in specific laws.
Four presidents have birthdays in February:
George Washington: February 22.
Abraham Lincoln: February 12.
William Henry Harrison: February 9.
Ronald Reagan: February 6.
Originally, President’s Day was celebrated on February 22 in honor of Washington’s birthday. This holiday was established by law in 1879 and was revised to include all federal employees in 1885.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act later shifted President’s Day, along with other federal holidays, to designated Mondays instead of specific dates.
