When is Presidents’ Day? Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 19, 2024! Is Washington’s birthday the same as Presidents’ Day? Which presidents do we celebrate on Presidents’ Day? When was George Washington’s actual birthday? Get answers to these common questions—and the truth about a few common George Washington myths.
Is This Holiday Called Presidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday?
Although the holiday is most often called “Presidents’ Day,” the observed federal holiday is officially called “Washington’s Birthday.”
Neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to Presidents’ Day. Additionally, Congress has never declared a national holiday binding in all states; each state has the freedom to determine its legal holidays. This is why there are some calendar discrepancies when it comes to this holiday’s date.
Why then is Presidents’ Day often observed on Washington’s birthday?
As Washington puts it in his Farewell Address, the “beloved Constitution and union, as received from the Founders,” and the creation of our country are all things that we might consider when we celebrate Presidents’ Day. Additionally, since February 12th is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, we can honor another notable president by renaming the holiday “Presidents’ Day.”
Like several U.S. states, many calendars today designate the third Monday of February as Presidents’ Day. Naturally, the three-day retail store sales are all referred to as “Presidents’ Day” sales, and this colloquialism has also influenced how we refer to the day.
Presidents’ Day is on when?
Presidents’ Day falls on the third Monday in February every year. Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 19, in 2024.
History of Presidents’ Day
In the past, George Washington’s birthday wasn’t officially recognized as a federal holiday by Congress until a few months following his passing. President Rutherford B. Hayes did not declare Washington’s birthday to be a public holiday until 1879, at which point it was set to be honored on February 22, Washington’s birthday.
Up until far into the 20th century, February 22 was set aside as Washington’s birthday. The Monday Holiday Law was enacted by Congress in 1968 with the goal of “establishing uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays.” Congress intended to “bring substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life” by extending the 3-day weekend.
Is President’s Day observed on a federal holiday?
George Washington’s birthday is currently one of just eleven federal holidays that Congress has officially declared. The reading of George Washington’s Farewell Address by a U.S. senator during a legislative session is a long-standing custom that is still carried out every year.
When Is the Actual Birthday of George Washington?
George Washington’s birthday is celebrated on February 22, even though the federal holiday falls on a Monday (the third Monday of February). The fact that Washington was born on February 11, 1731, further complicates things! How is that possible?
The Julian calendar was in use at the time George Washington was born. The official calendar system in Great Britain and America was changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar during the administration of George Washington (something that most of Europe had already done in 1582).
People born before 1752 were instructed to add 11 days to their birth dates as a result of this calendar modification. Washington and all other people born between January 1 and March 25 had to add one year in order to adjust to the new calendar.
Washington celebrated his birthday on February 22 and gave his birth year as 1732 when he was elected president in 1789.
In summary, the Old-Style Julian calendar for Washington’s birthday was February 11, 1731; the New-Style Gregorian calendar states that his birthday is February 22, 1732.
Myths Regarding Washington
According to legend, George Washington admitted to his father that he couldn’t make a lie after chopping down a cherry tree when he was six years old. I used my hatchet to do it.
Obviously, we are also incapable of lying. Washington didn’t even cut down the tree; he didn’t mention this! In actuality, this event was made up by Washington biographer Parson Mason Weems (1759–1825), who did so in an attempt to show Washington’s integrity.
There are more myths about Washington than this one. His wooden prosthetics? They were composed of hippopotamus teeth that had been filed down to fit within Washington’s mouth rather than wood.
Cherry Cookbooks
The story that George Washington admitted to taking down a cherry tree is likewise untrue. But our delectable No-Lie Cherry Pie recipe was inspired by the tale! Get more cherry recipes here as well.
Not a Lie Chocolate-Covered Cherry Pie Biscuits
Cranberry-topped mock cherry pie
Cherry Bounce, a mixed beverage
George Washington Phrase
Washington wasn’t sure he was the appropriate guy for the job when he took office. “I shall move to the chair of government with sentiments akin to those of a criminal on his way to the site of his hanging,” the author wrote. Luckily for the fledgling nation, he was mistaken.
“Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.”
— George Washington, 1732–1799
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