Presidents’ Day is a special holiday in the United States that makes people curious about its history, meaning, and how it’s celebrated. Let’s explore what Presidents’ Day is all about, where it came from, and how people celebrate it today.
Presidents’ Day started as a federal holiday in 1879 when Rutherford B. Hayes was the President. It was originally meant to celebrate George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd. George Washington was the first President of the United States, and for a long time, the holiday was simply called Washington’s Birthday.
In 1968, there was an idea to move Presidents’ Day to the third Monday in February. This was part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to give workers more three-day weekends. Although it didn’t happen right away, the change was made in 1971, and now we celebrate Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February.
One interesting thing about Presidents’ Day is the discussion about who should be celebrated. Some people think it should only be about George Washington, while others believe it should also honor Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is on February 12th. Some even think it should celebrate all U.S. presidents.
The name of the holiday can be different depending on where you are. Some states call it Washington’s Birthday, others say Washington and Lincoln’s Birthday, and some just call it Presidents’ Day. The spelling can also change, with some using an apostrophe before the “s” to focus on Washington, and others putting it after the “s” to include all presidents.
Even though people might disagree on how to celebrate, there are some things that are common on Presidents’ Day:
No matter how people celebrate, every state honors George Washington on Presidents’ Day. He is such an important part of American history that he remains a key figure of the holiday.
A famous story about George Washington is the cherry tree legend, which represents honesty. The tale goes that young Washington admitted to cutting down a cherry tree, saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” Even though this story isn’t true, it has become a part of his legacy, and many people enjoy cherries on Presidents’ Day to remember the legend.
Presidents’ Day is a unique holiday that shows the rich history and culture of America. It celebrates the contributions of past presidents, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and reminds us of the different ways people celebrate across the country. Whether through shopping, spending time with family, or enjoying cherries, Presidents’ Day is a time to think about the nation’s leaders and their impact on American society.
Presidential Portraits: Create your own presidential portrait! Choose a president you want to learn more about, and draw their portrait. Use books or the internet with the help of an adult to find out interesting facts about them. Write a few sentences about why they are important and what they are known for. Share your portrait and facts with your family or classmates.
Cherry Tree Honesty Game: Inspired by the cherry tree legend, play a game that celebrates honesty. Gather a few friends or family members and take turns sharing a story about a time you were honest, even when it was hard. After each story, everyone can clap to show appreciation for honesty. Discuss why being honest is important and how it makes you feel.
Presidents’ Day Observation Walk: Go on a walk around your neighborhood or town with an adult and look for signs of Presidents’ Day celebrations. Do you see any decorations, sales signs, or closed schools and post offices? Take notes or draw pictures of what you observe. When you return, discuss with your family or friends how people in your community celebrate Presidents’ Day and why these observances are important.
