According to the Federal government, the
holiday observed on the third Monday in February is officially
George Washington’s birthday. But many Americans believe
that this holiday is now called Presidents’ Day,
in honour of both Presidents- George Washington and Abraham
Lincoln, whose birthdays are February 22nd and February 12th
respectively.
The states are not obliged to adopt federal
holidays, which only affect federal offices and agencies.
While most states have adopted Washington’s Birthday,
a dozen of them officially celebrate President’s Day.
A number of states that celebrate Washington’s Birthday
also recognise Lincoln’s Birthday as a separate legal
holiday.
In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays
Act, which moved the official observance of Washington’s
Birthday from February 22nd to the third Monday in February.
Some reformers had wanted to change the name of the holiday
as well to President’s Day, in honour of both Lincoln
and Washington, but the Congress rejected that proposal.
But in 1971, when the Act went into effect,
President Nixon proclaimed the holiday as President’s
Day, to commemorate all past presidents, not
just Lincoln and Washington. This idea was never intended
or authorized by Congress; nevertheless, it gained a stronghold
on the public consciousness.
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