From Washington’s Birthday to Presidents’ Day: A Historical Evolution

Presidents’ Day, observed annually on the third Monday of February, is far more than just a day for mattress discounts. It began as a celebration of George Washington, the nation’s first president, and has evolved over time to encompass the legacies of all who have held the office. Officially, the federal holiday remains designated as “Washington’s Birthday,” a detail enshrined in Section 6103(a) of Title 5 of the U.S. Code.

The tradition of celebrating Washington’s birthdates dates back to the Revolutionary War. As Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, explains, “Americans, prior to the revolution, celebrated the King’s birthday quite regularly, and they started to transition to celebrating Washington’s birthday about halfway through the war.” By 1778, recognizing a need for a national figurehead, states and localities began honoring Washington, a practice that naturally filled a void.

Formal federal recognition arrived on January 31, 1879, when President Rutherford B. Hayes signed into law an Act of Congress, initially applying the holiday to federal offices in Washington, D.C. This was later expanded in 1885 to encompass all federal offices nationwide.

The Curious Case of Two Birthdays

George Washington wasn’t simply born on one date; he effectively had two. Born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the Julian calendar – the system in use throughout the British Empire at the time – his birthday shifted when Britain and its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752. This adjustment, designed to correct inaccuracies in the Julian system, moved Washington’s birthday forward by eleven days, resulting in a recognized date of February 22, 1732.

The Monday Shift and the Loss of the Original Date

Despite its historical roots, Presidents’ Day no longer falls on Washington’s actual birthday. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, implemented in 1971, moved several federal holidays to Mondays, creating more three-day weekends and minimizing disruptions to the workweek. This meant Washington’s Birthday was relegated to the third Monday in February, a change that, while convenient, distanced the holiday from its original date.

A First of its Kind: Honoring an Individual

Washington’s Birthday holds another distinction: it was the first federal holiday established to honor an individual’s birthdate. While the U.S. now celebrates figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. with federal holidays, Washington paved the way. Historian Peter Kastor of Washington University in St. Louis notes that “during the revolution, but especially after his death, Americans concluded that Washington would be their symbol of what the American Revolution and the American experiment was supposed to be.”

A Reluctant Celebrant? Washington’s Personal Views

Interestingly, historical records suggest Washington himself wasn’t particularly fond of birthday celebrations. Accounts from Mount Vernon reveal no evidence of lavish parties or regular family observances. Chervinsky observes, “He really wasn’t much one for celebrations. For his birthday, he usually wrote down that it was his birthday and acknowledged it. And maybe there was something small among the family, but he was not going to be having lavish birthday parties.” A diary entry from one such birthday simply notes the snowfall and his decision to remain at home.

Lincoln’s Legacy and the Expanding Scope of the Holiday

The debate surrounding the Uniform Monday Holiday Act sparked discussions about expanding the holiday to honor both Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday falls on February 12. Lincoln’s role in preserving the Union during the Civil War and his commitment to abolishing slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation had already cemented his place in American history. While a formal name change was rejected in 1968, the association stuck, leading many Americans to view Presidents’ Day as a celebration of all U.S. presidents.

The Rise of Retail and the Commercialization of a Holiday

Following the implementation of the Monday observance in 1971, retailers quickly recognized the potential of the long weekend. By the 1980s, “Presidents’ Day Sales” had become a common marketing strategy, often featuring patriotic imagery like American flags and Mount Rushmore. As Kastor points out, “Think about how many mattress stores do sales on Presidents’ Day,” highlighting the holiday’s transformation into a major retail event.

Cherry Pie and Presidential Folklore

The association of cherry pie with Presidents’ Day stems from the well-known, yet fictional, story of Washington chopping down a cherry tree as a child. While not a widespread tradition like pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, the tale has become a symbolic link to the holiday.

A Unique Founding: Presidents Born Before the United States

A fascinating historical quirk: the first seven U.S. presidents were technically born before the United States even existed. Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson were all born before 1776, when the colonies were still part of the British Empire. Their birthplaces later became U.S. soil. Martin Van Buren, born in 1782, holds the distinction of being the first president born after the Declaration of Independence.

The Senate’s Annual Tradition: Reading Washington’s Farewell Address

Each year, the Senate continues a tradition begun in 1862: reading George Washington’s Farewell Address aloud. The practice, initiated as a “morale-boosting gesture” during the Civil War, involves alternating parties selecting a senator to read the 7,641-word address. The senator then signs a commemorative book, adding their reflections on the occasion. Chervinsky emphasizes that this observance provides “an opportunity to reflect on the best leadership practices and what we can also learn from the darker moments” of U.S. history.

What does the enduring legacy of Washington’s Farewell Address mean for contemporary political discourse? And how can we balance the commercialization of Presidents’ Day with a genuine appreciation for the historical significance of the holiday?

Frequently Asked Questions About Presidents’ Day