Presidents Day: A Three-Day Weekend to Honor America's Past Leaders

Cold days can feel endless, especially when winter refuses to loosen its grip. But there is a small pause to look forward to. In the middle of February, Americans get a three-day weekend with Presidents Day, a federal holiday that offers a break from routine and a moment to look back at the country’s past leaders. This year, Presidents Day will be observed on Monday, February 16, 2026. The holiday always falls on the third Monday of February, creating a long weekend during one of the coldest stretches of the year. Because Presidents Day is a federal holiday , most federal offices will be closed. Banks, post offices, the stock market and many schools will not operate that day. However, most retail stores and grocery shops usually remain open, which is why the holiday often comes with sales and shopping offers. People who work for the federal government typically get the day off. Some state and local offices may also close, depending on where you live. Presidents Day is officially known as Washington’s Birthday. It was first created to honor George Washington, the nation’s first president. His birthday is February 22, though the date changed over time due to a shift from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Later, the holiday also came to recognise Abraham Lincoln , whose birthday falls on February 12. Because the holiday sits between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln, many people began calling it Presidents Day, a name that eventually stuck. Americans celebrated Washington long before the holiday became official. In 1879, Congress made February 22 a legal holiday for federal workers in Washington, D.C., and by 1885 it became a paid holiday for all federal employees. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Law moved the celebration to the third Monday of February. The goal was to reduce midweek work disruptions and give Americans more long weekends. That change is why Presidents Day never falls on Washington’s actual birthday, but still carries his legacy forward each year.