Presidents Birthdays Celebrated

Not all birthdays are celebrated by the whole country, but in the instance of celebrating the birth of our Presidents, we not only get to celebrate, but lets face it, it is always fun to have a day off work.

The day our Presidents birthdays are celebrated is a National holiday. But it has not always been celebrated at the same time.

On the third Monday in February, we take time to celebrate the birthdays of some former Presidents. Originally though the Presidents birthdays were celebrated separately.

February 22 is George Washington’s actual birthday and the holiday we know now, as Presidents day was actually to celebrate his birthday.

Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated at a different time, although his birthday is actually February 12. Lincoln’s birthday was never a federal holiday like Washington’s.

The late 1980’s is when the term Presidents Day began its appearance with a push from advertisers. Now, Presidents Day is to honor both Washington and Lincoln and often other Presidents of the United States. But it is not the same throughout the US.

In fact, in Massachusetts the governor issues an annual Presidents Day proclamation honoring Presidents that come from Massachusetts. Alabama observes the day as Washington and Jefferson Day, and in Virginia, George Washington’s home state, the holiday is known simply as George Washington Day.

So while we all celebrate this day dedicated to our Presidents, it is easy to see that it is not as equally revered throughout the country.