Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Presidents Day is known by many different names across the country
Your calendar says it. Car commercials and mattress ads say it. But is it true? Is Monday Presidents Day? In much of the country, the answer is no.Federal HolidayThe federal holiday is officially called Washington’s Birthday and was created in 1879.It originally was celebrated on Feb. 22, the day George Washington was born. (Well, even that may not technically be true, but that’s another story.)In 1970, the holiday was moved to always fall on the third Monday in February, regardless of the calendar date.State HolidaysMost states also celebrate the third Monday in February with their own state holiday. The name of the holiday varies from state to state.About half the U.S. call the holiday Presidents Day. Nevada, New Jersey and Oregon don’t use apostrophes. More than a dozen states do, but they don’t agree on exactly where that apostrophe goes, before or after the “s.”Other states — like Virginia, Massachusetts and Iowa — honor only George Washington on the day.Montana, Colorado, Ohio, Utah and Minnesota have named the day some variation of Washington and Lincoln’s Birthday, honoring both presidents.Alabama calls the holiday George Washington and Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday. Arkansas honors both Washington and Daisy Bates, a journalist and civil rights activist, on the day.
Your calendar says it. Car commercials and mattress ads say it. But is it true? Is Monday Presidents Day? In much of the country, the answer is no.
Federal Holiday
The federal holiday is officially called Washington’s Birthday and was created in 1879.
It originally was celebrated on Feb. 22, the day George Washington was born. (Well, even that may not technically be true, but that’s another story.)
In 1970, the holiday was moved to always fall on the third Monday in February, regardless of the calendar date.
State Holidays
Most states also celebrate the third Monday in February with their own state holiday. The name of the holiday varies from state to state.
About half the U.S. call the holiday Presidents Day. Nevada, New Jersey and Oregon don’t use apostrophes. More than a dozen states do, but they don’t agree on exactly where that apostrophe goes, before or after the “s.”
Other states — like Virginia, Massachusetts and Iowa — honor only George Washington on the day.
Montana, Colorado, Ohio, Utah and Minnesota have named the day some variation of Washington and Lincoln’s Birthday, honoring both presidents.
Alabama calls the holiday George Washington and Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday. Arkansas honors both Washington and Daisy Bates, a journalist and civil rights activist, on the day.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)