Monday, February 19th, marks one of the 10 U.S. legal federal holidays, but it is not a public holiday in all states. Many states also have a different official name for the holiday. In fact, there’s not even agreement among the states on where the apostrophe is placed when the holiday is called Presidents’ Day (or President’s Day or Presidents Day)! There will be no postal service and, while some banks may close, most businesses remain open.
From the History Channel: “Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called ‘Washington’s Birthday’ by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.” Read more about the holiday here.
