The History of Presidents' Day

Believe it or not, the holiday we celebrate as Presidents’ Day is fairly new; it was originally a celebration of the life of our first president, George Washington. With an abundance of political tactics, the date of Presidents’ Day, as well as the honorees, changed. Polk County Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando celebrate this important holiday with special lesson plans and activities leading up to Presidents’ Day.

• The idea to celebrate the many positive contributions of our country’s leaders germinated only one year after George Washington’s death in 1899. A “Day of Remembrance” began on the anniversary of Washington’s February 22 birthday, although it was not recognized as a federal holiday until 1885.
• Washington was regarded as America’s most important figure, and the centennial of his birth in 1832 as well as the onset of construction of the Washington Monument were historically significant.
• At the time it was created, the holiday celebrating Washington’s birthday was the only federal holiday honoring a single individual.
• In 1971, the government shook up the calendar by transferring many holidays from fixed dates to a Monday close to that date by creating the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. While many people believe this downplayed the importance of the day – such as Washington’s birthday – many employers and employees enjoyed the idea of a perennial three-day weekend.
• Once Washington’s birthday was no longer celebrated on his actual date of birth, many Americans believed it would be appropriate to give credit to multiple presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12. Other presidents born in February were included in the date in some states, while other states nominated local dignitaries who had contributed to the betterment of their state.
• When the law fixing Washington’s birthday on the third Monday in February was created, it did not take long for many people to begin referring to it simply as “Presidents’ Day.” By the turn of the century, more than half of the states in the union called February 20 Presidents’ Day.
• All presidents, past and present, are now honored on Presidents’ Day.

The Diocese of Orlando’s Polk County Catholic schools have presidential activities and important lessons that focus on the lives of our nation’s leaders. Learn more about these programs by contacting the Diocese at 407-246-4800, and read our blogs for information pertaining to our schools, educational programs, and extracurricular activities.