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Well it isn't an official holiday but it has a long history...

Presidents Day is referred to as Washington's Birthday by the federal government. It was enacted by congress in 1880 as a holiday for Washington D.C. offices. It was expanded as a holiday for all federal offices in 1885.

Until 1971 the holiday was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday (Feb 22). In 1971 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted it to the third Monday in February. Ironically, since the third Monday never falls on Feb 22nd, "Washington's Birthday" the holiday never falls on Washington's actual birthday anymore.

There have been many attempts to change the holiday. Starting in 1951, then again in 1968, but all of the proposed bills failed. Despite failures at the Federal level, many Governors issued proclamations declaring March 4th to be Presidents' Day since March 4th was the original inauguration day.

In the mid 1980's business started pushing for the name change. Some States have responded by legally changing the name of their observance to "Presidents' Day", "Washington and Lincoln Day", "George Washington Day", "Washington and Jefferson Day".

Despite all of these efforts, the holiday has remained officially "Washington's Birthday" since 1880.

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14y ago

Well it isn't an official holiday but it has a long history...

Presidents Day is referred to as Washington's Birthday by the federal government. It was enacted by congress in 1880 as a holiday for Washington D.C. offices. It was expanded as a holiday for all federal offices in 1885.

Until 1971 the holiday was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday (Feb 22). In 1971 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted it to the third Monday in February. Ironically, since the third Monday never falls on Feb 22nd, "Washington's Birthday" the holiday never falls on Washington's actual birthday anymore.

There have been many attempts to change the holiday. Starting in 1951, then again in 1968, but all of the proposed bills failed. Despite failures at the Federal level, many Governors issued proclamations declaring March 4th to be Presidents' Day since March 4th was the original inauguration day.

In the mid 1980's business started pushing for the name change. Some States have responded by legally changing the name of their observance to "Presidents' Day", "Washington and Lincoln Day", "George Washington Day", "Washington and Jefferson Day".

Despite all of these efforts, the holiday has remained officially "Washington's Birthday" since 1880.

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Q: What year was presidents day first celebrated?
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When is Presidents' Day celebrated each year?

It is always the third Monday in February.


When is the Presidents' Day celebrated each year?

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