Why We Celebrate Presidents Day

The calendar is filled with days deemed holidays that don’t seem to be too big a deal. Presidents Day may seem like it is no big deal, but it is a day where we recognize and remember the leaders of the United States.

Presidents Day is always on the third Monday in February, and is timed to fall on and around George Washington’s birthday. While the day celebrates all presidents and their service to the United States, the day’s location, on Washington’s birthday, tells of his importance to the country.

Presidents Day is celebrated as a federal holiday, and, as such, federal processes like routine United States Postal Service deliveries halt for the day. Most things, like regular businesses and work schedules, remain on track.

Presidents Day was first celebrated more than 100 years after Washington’s second term in office ended. In 1880, Washington’s birthday was celebrated in Washington, D.C., and was made a federal holiday in 1885.

We celebrate Presidents Day to remember Washington and his service to the country. After Washington, Abraham Lincoln also receives special consideration depending upon the state you celebrate in.

Presidents Day might seem like a holiday that exists to get certain people days off or to close schools, but the reality is Presidents Day is a day to remember the service our leaders put forth in advancing our nation.