February 19

Presidents’ Day

Honor the past and present leaders of our nation this Presidents' Day - a tribute to vision, courage, and the American Dream!

Type

Day

Introduction

Celebrate and honor the leaders of our great nation this Presidents' Day on February 19th! Tracing its origin back to the 1880s, Presidents' Day initially began as a celebration of George Washington's birthday, which falls on February 22. Over the years, it has evolved to encompass the recognition of all U.S Presidents, past and present, and their contributions towards sculpting the American dream. A historic day indeed that allows us to revere the vision and courage of these leaders. Let's pay tribute and remember the heroes of our nation on this special day!

Presidents’ Day Timeline

1880

Washington's Birthday

George Washington's birthday was officially celebrated as a country-wide event for the first time, scheduled for February 22nd.

1968

Uniform Monday Holiday Act

U.S Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which proposed moving the celebration of Washington's birthday from February 22nd to the third Monday in February.

1971

Implementation of New Date

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act officially took effect, shifting the observance of Washington's Birthday to the third Monday in February.

1980s

Presidents' Day Embraced

The term "Presidents’ Day" began to be popularly used instead of Washington's Birthday, with many interpreting the holiday as honoring both Washington and Lincoln.

Today

Celebration of All U.S Presidents

Today, Presidents’ Day is viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present, and their contributions to the nation.

How to Celebrate Presidents’ Day

1 Create President's Day Crafts

Get your creative juices flowing with some president-themed crafts. This could be making a paper mache model of Mount Rushmore, designing your own presidential seal, or carving president busts out of soap.

2 Visit a Presidential Library or Museum

Spend the day engrossed in the history and legacy of our nation's leaders by taking a trip to a local presidential library or museum. These institutions preserve the historical records and memorabilia of past Presidents, making it a perfect educational outing for President's Day.

3 Hold a Presidential Trivia Night

Learn more about past Presidents in a fun and entertaining way by hosting a trivia night focused on presidential facts and feats. This can be a family affair or a fun event with friends.

4 Bake Presidential Treats

Each President had their favorite food. Why not celebrate the day by baking a batch of Abraham Lincoln's favorite almond cake, or cooking up George Washington's beloved cherry pie? It's a sweet way to pay tribute!

5 Read Presidential Biographies

Dive deep into the lives of former Presidents by diving into some presidential biographies. These books provide great insights into the roles these leaders have played in shaping the country and will help to clarify our understanding of how we became the nation we are today.

Why We Love Presidents’ Day

Presidents' Day celebrates the leaders who shaped our nation.

This day offers an opportunity to honor and appreciate the impact that all U.S Presidents have had on our country. It is a tribute to their foresight, bravery, and contributions to the American Dream, allowing us to reflect on their important work.

Presidents' Day provides educational opportunities.

Whether we're visiting a presidential library or museum, reading biographies on past presidents, or engaging in presidential trivia, this holiday encourages us to expand our knowledge about our nation's history and the leaders who have guided us through it.

The holiday lets us participate in thematic activities.

Through crafting, baking, and other activities related to past presidents, we can feel more connected to these past leaders and the eras they represent. These fun, president-themed activities not only make the day enjoyable, but they also serve to remind us of the presidents' personal aspects and everyday identities.