Presidents' Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February. This holiday is a time to honor and remember the great leaders of our nation. Many people look forward to this day as a break from their usual work routine, but do you know why? In 1971, Presidents' Day was moved to create more three-day weekends for the public. This decision was made in the hopes of boosting productivity nationwide. It was believed that by having a break at this point in the year, after the winter holidays have passed, people would feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle their tasks with renewed energy. So, as you enjoy your day off on Presidents' Day, remember that it was strategically planned to benefit you and the country as a whole. Now, let's talk about the history of this federal holiday.
History of Presidents' Day
After the passing of George Washington in 1799, his birthday became known informally as Washington Day, a day to honor and remember the man who played a pivotal role in shaping America's history. Throughout the 1800s, Americans used this day as a time to reflect on Washington's legacy and his contributions to the nation.
In 1832, a resolution was passed allowing for the burial of George Washington's remains at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. This decision further solidified Washington's place in American history and led to even greater celebrations on Washington Day.
The construction of the Washington Monument in 1848 served as a beacon of reverence for George Washington, attracting even more attention to his life and accomplishments. This iconic structure became a symbol of the nation's gratitude and admiration for the first President of the United States. The legacy of George Washington continues to be honored and celebrated to this day.
In the late 1870s, Steven Wallace Dorsey put forth the idea of making Washington's birthday a national federal holiday. President Rutherford B. Hayes officially made it a holiday in 1879, adding it to the four existing bank holidays approved in 1870. Due to the significance of Abraham Lincoln's legacy and the fact that his birthday falls on February 12th, there was a proposal to rename Washington's birthday to Presidents’ Day in order to honor both presidents. However, this proposal was ultimately rejected by Congress. Today, Washington's Birthday is still officially recognized as a federal holiday in honor of the nation's first president.
Washington's Birthday was officially renamed Presidents' Day in the late 1960s as part of a plan proposed by Senator Robert McClory of Illinois known as the Uniform Monday's Act. This was later signed into law in 1971 by President Richard Nixon. Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans' Day were all affected by this shift. This act aimed to move key bank holidays to Mondays in order to provide workers with more three-day weekends, with the goal of increasing productivity and decreasing absenteeism in the workplace. This plan was supported by both labor unions and the private sector, as it was seen as a way to benefit both employees and employers alike. Today, Presidents' Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February each year in honor of all past presidents of the United States.
One unintended consequence of this change was the boost it provided to retail sales. With the holiday falling on a Monday, many stores began to offer special sales events and promotions, drawing in shoppers looking for deals. This trend continued to grow throughout the 1980s, solidifying Presidents' Day as the common term for the holiday.
Today, Presidents' Day serves as a time to honor all U.S. presidents, past and present. It is a day for reflection on the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation's leaders. While it may be associated with shopping sales for some, the true meaning of Presidents' Day lies in celebrating the history and legacy of those who have held the highest office in the land.