Presidents Day and Exploring Your Heritage

Shortly after you’ve celebrated your love with chocolates and flowers, another holiday sneaks up. Presidents Day is one of the lesser-known Federal holidays, and if you’re like most Americans, you probably don't quite know why it’s celebrated. Commemorated on the third Monday in February, Presidents Day pays homage to the United States' first President, George Washington. Federal employees get a day off from work, children get a day home from school, and many retail shops hold special sales to commemorate the day.

If you’re researching your family history on Ancestry®, knowing what president was in office tells a lot about how your ancestors lived and what their overall daily life could have looked like. Whether your great-great-great-grandfather fought as a patriot in the Civil War, or your family history dates back to the nation's founding, learning about Presidents Day history is one way to explore the life and times of your past relatives.

Washington's Birthday: A Brief History

As Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington gained notice from his peers as a great leader, but aside from being unanimously elected as the first President of the United States, Washington’s beginnings were far from impressive. He was born on February 22, 1732, in Popes Creek, Virginia. He had nine brothers and sisters. His family moved several times before settling on the Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River. His father died when he was 11, leaving his mother to care for him and his younger siblings. As a young man, George learned the value of hard work.

Washington received very little formal education because public primary schools didn’t exist, and due to lack of money, he couldn’t attend college. He was quiet and preferred not to get involved in political debates, even after being elected the President of the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

At the age of 21, Washington was sworn in as a major in what is currently known as the National Guard, during the French and Indian War. It was here he learned the administrative details of military life, including tactics and formations. In 1758, Washington became the only American to achieve the title of brigade commander during the war.

During the next 15 years, he worked on his farm, married Martha Dandridge Custis, and spent time in agriculture. She had two children from a previous marriage, but the two didn’t have any children together. Dealing with the growing tax on the colonies, he began to hate England, so he joined the revolutionaries.

When the Second Continental Congress assembled in May 1775, they hoped Washington’s military experience could help rally troops for the American Revolution, so they named him Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Eventually, Washington would lead the United States to victory over Great Britain, and in 1787 he was named president of the constitutional convention. Upon signing the Constitution, the delegates unanimously elected Washington as the first President of the United States. He served two terms before he passed at age 67 from a throat infection on December 14, 1799.

In 1880, the government created a federal holiday on February 22 to celebrate one of the most important political figures in American history. In 1971, the holiday changed from George Washington’s birthday to Presidents Day to help create more paid days off for American workers and went from the 22nd to the third Monday in February.

Presidents Day: Interesting Facts

To this day, Washington is known as one of the most well-loved Presidents in history, falling to third place after Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. Because of this, his birthday was one of the first proposed federal holidays. At first, Washington D.C. was the only city to celebrate the holiday. It wasn’t until 1885 that the rest of the country adopted it. 

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. Because his birthday was so close to Washington’s, Lincoln’s birthday received accolades alongside the former President. Eventually, Americans started calling the day Presidents Day and used it to celebrate the leadership of all former Presidents.

Even though George Washington was the first President of the United States, he never lived in the White House. Construction began on the residence on October 13, 1792, while Washington was still in office, but it wasn’t completed until November 1, 1800, when John Adams was in office.

Congress passed the Residence Act of 1790, which established the state capital would sit along the Potomac River. It also gave Washington the power to designate the final site, and the city was later named after him. The District of Columbia was added to pay tribute to Christopher Columbus. At the time, D.C. also included Georgetown and Alexandria.

George Washington’s birthplace is a national monument in Westmoreland County, VA. The plantation sits on 551 acres and includes a farm, the family burial grounds, a visitors’ center, and several other outbuildings. If you plan a visit, you can enjoy a picnic and swim at the public beach.

Even though Washington’s Birthday was renamed Presidents Day, the government still refers to the holiday as Washington's Birthday.

Presidents Day traditions also include a tribute to the first military badge of merit for soldiers. The Purple Heart, which includes the image of George Washington, is awarded to soldiers injured in battle. 

Presidents Day History Timeline: Evolution of the Holiday

In 1870, congress established four federal holidays, which gave federal employees paid time off. These holidays were New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Ten years later Washington’s birthday, February 22, was included. Since 1888, seven more holidays were added: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Inauguration Day, Columbus Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, and Juneteenth. These holidays only apply to federal workers. States may decide and adopt their legal holidays.

On June 28, 1968, congress enacted the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Washington’s Birthday and Memorial Day to fall on a Monday. This change would give federal workers more three-day weekends to enjoy with their families. This same act included a provision to combine Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays.

By 1971, many states began referring to the holiday as Presidents Day. In observance of Presidents Day, all federal offices close with banks, the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the post office; many schools are closed. Many businesses also observe the holidays to provide time off for their employees.

President’s Day Traditions and Celebrations

Many cities and states hold parades and celebrations to honor President’s Day. One of the biggest events is held in Alexandria, Virginia, near the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The parade features over 2,500 participants, including drum corps, bands, fraternal organizations, area lawmakers, color guards, and dancers. Special guests include George and Martha Washington. The city also provides a two-hour walking tour of Old Town Alexandria as it was when George Washington lived there. At night, the city hosts a formal gala at the Grand Masonic Hall. The black-tie event features music, dancing, and a banquet. Other events throughout the city include a concert presented by the local symphonic orchestra and the rededication of the Washington Memorial.

Laredo, Texas, hosts the annual Washington’s Birthday Celebration with more than 25 events throughout the month of February. There are two parades, an air show, the jalapeno festival, and a carnival complete with fireworks.  

New York City residents can enjoy a birthday tea presented by the Young Families and Junior Dames of the National Society of Colonial Dames. In Birmingham, AL, residents can enjoy birthday cake with George Washington on the steps of Washington Hall, and St Louis holds an annual birthday ball inside the Gateway Arch Visitor’s Center.

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