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Presidents' Day is an annual holiday observed in the United States to honor the nation's presidents, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is celebrated on the third Monday in February. The birthdays of Washington and Lincoln fall near or on the holiday. Washington, the nation's first president, was born on Feb. 22, 1732, according to the calendar we now use. Lincoln, who served as president during the American Civil War (1861-1865), was born on Feb. 12, 1809.
A federal holiday called Washington's Birthday also occurs on the third Monday in February. It became a legal public holiday in 1971. Later, many states adopted Presidents' Day instead, to honor not only Washington, but other presidents as well, especially Lincoln. Presidents' Day is sometimes called Washington-Lincoln Day.
On Presidents' Day, banks, government offices, libraries, and schools close. Most private businesses remain open. Many stores hold Presidents' Day sales.
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