Presidents Day
United States Β· 2025
About Presidents Day
Presidents' Day, officially known as Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of February. It was originally established to honor George Washington, the nation's first president, born on February 22, 1732.
The holiday has evolved in popular culture to celebrate all US presidents, particularly Washington and Lincoln (whose birthday falls on February 12). The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved the celebration to the third Monday of February to create long weekends.
While the official federal name remains 'Washington's Birthday,' most states and commercial entities use 'Presidents' Day' β a name that emerged in the 1980s partly driven by retail marketing.
Quick Facts
- Date 2025
- February 17, 2025
- Day
- Monday
- Type
- Public
- Scope
- National
- Fixed Date
- No β date changes each year
- Local Name
- Washington's Birthday
- Traditions
- Presidential ceremonies Β· Historical reenactments Β· Retail sales Β· Ski trips
When is Presidents Day?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025This year | February 17, 2025 | Monday |
| 2026 | February 16, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | February 15, 2027 | Monday |
3-Day Long Weekend
Because Presidents Day falls on a Monday, it creates a 3-day long weekend from Saturday, February 15 to Monday, February 17.
How is Presidents Day Celebrated?
Presidents' Day is marked by patriotic ceremonies, educational events about American history and the presidency, and reenactments of Washington's crossing of the Delaware and other historical events. Many schools hold special programs about US presidents.
Commercially, Presidents' Day weekend is one of the biggest retail sale events of the year, with major discounts on cars, furniture, mattresses, and electronics. It also marks a popular ski and winter sports weekend.
Did You Know?
- β’George Washington's actual birthday is February 22 β the holiday always falls between February 15 and 21, never on his actual birthday.
- β’The federal holiday is still officially named 'Washington's Birthday' in the US Code.
- β’Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12) has never been a federal holiday.
- β’Presidents' Day car sales and retail promotions began in the 1980s and have grown into a billion-dollar shopping event.
- β’Some states also officially honor Abraham Lincoln on Presidents' Day.
Other Holidays in United States 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
From the Blog
Good Friday 2026: Date, History, and Global Observance
Good Friday 2026 falls on April 3. Here's when it is, why the date changes every year, which countries observe it as a public holiday, and what the day means across Christian traditions.
7 min readThe Gregorian Calendar: How a 1582 Reform Became the World's Default
How an 11-minute annual error in the Julian calendar led Pope Gregory XIII to skip 10 days, and the surprisingly slow 340-year global adoption that followed.
7 min readLunar vs Solar vs Lunisolar: How Different Cultures Track the Year
Why the Islamic calendar loses 11 days each year, how the Chinese calendar adds leap months, and what makes the Gregorian calendar 'solar' β a comparison of the world's major calendar systems.
8 min read