Presidents Day 2026: A Federal Holiday with Varied Observances
Presidents Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday, will be observed on . The holiday honors the legacy of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and all U.S. Presidents, past and present.
The origins of the holiday date back to 1879, when President Rutherford B. Hayes signed legislation making George Washington’s birthday a holiday for federal employees. Prior to this, following George Washington’s death in 1799, his February 22nd birthday had already become a day of remembrance. It became a national holiday six years later, in 1885.
While We see a federal holiday, the observance of Presidents Day isn’t uniform across all states. According to reports, almost two dozen states officially recognize the day, while over a dozen do not.
A History of Changing Dates and Names
Initially, the holiday was solely dedicated to honoring George Washington, celebrated on his actual birthday, February 22nd. However, the date shifted in 1971 with the passage of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This act moved several federal holidays to Mondays to create more three-day weekends for federal employees. While the act moved Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday of February, it did not officially rename the holiday to “Presidents’ Day” or extend the celebration to include other presidents.
Despite the official name remaining Washington’s Birthday, the holiday is commonly referred to as Presidents’ Day, acknowledging the contributions of other leaders like Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday falls on February 12th, and more recent presidents including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
State-by-State Recognition
The way Presidents Day is observed varies by state. Some states, like Virginia, recognize February 22nd as George Washington Day. Others, such as Illinois, celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Abraham Lincoln separately.
As of current information, the following states observe the holiday under the name “Presidents’ Day”: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Florida, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Those states observing the holiday as “Washington’s Birthday” include: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Virginia. Alabama recognizes both Washington and Jefferson, while Arkansas also includes Daisy Gatson Bates in its observances.
Impact on Services and Businesses
As a federal holiday, Presidents Day means that federal offices, including the U.S. Postal Service, will be closed on . Some schools, particularly those in the Washington D.C. Area, may also be closed. However, most retail stores and restaurants are expected to remain open, often offering significant holiday sales.
Public transportation may operate on a Saturday schedule. Private businesses and private mail/delivery companies are generally expected to operate as usual.
The celebration of Presidents Day has evolved significantly since its inception in 1879. Originally intended to honor George Washington, it has grown to encompass the legacies of all U.S. Presidents, offering a moment for national reflection and remembrance.