Every third Monday in February, Americans observe Presidents Day,  a federal holiday rooted in the celebration of George Washington’s birthday and expanded over time to honor Abraham Lincoln and the broader legacy of U.S. presidents.

 

Why Presidents Day Matters

Originally established in the 1880s to honor George Washington’s birthday (February 22), the holiday was later moved to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, which aimed to give workers more three-day weekends. Over time, many states began using the day to also recognize Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12), and eventually, the holiday became a broader celebration of presidential leadership.

 

George Washington: The Founding Leader

Born in 1732, Washington led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolution, presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and became the first President of the United States in 1789. His leadership helped define the presidency itself,  setting precedents for peaceful transitions of power, civic duty, and national unity.

 

Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator

Born in 1809, Lincoln guided the nation through its most perilous chapter, the Civil War. He preserved the Union, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and championed the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. Though Lincoln’s birthday was never a federal holiday, many states observed it independently, and eventually folded it into the broader Presidents Day celebration.

 

Presidents Day Today

While the federal government still officially calls it Washington’s Birthday, most Americans recognize Presidents Day as a time to reflect on the contributions of all U.S. presidents, past and present. Schools, museums, and civic organizations often use the occasion to teach history, promote civic engagement, and celebrate democratic values.

 

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Local Ways to Celebrate in Bay County

Residents can mark Presidents Day with activities that blend education, community pride, and family fun:

 

• Visit the Bay County Public Library for presidential biographies and themed story-time

• Explore local history exhibits at the Panama City Publishing Museum or St. Andrews Historic District

• Host a Presidents Day trivia night with friends or neighbors

• Encourage kids to write a letter to the president or create a “What I’d do as President” drawing

• Share favorite presidential quotes on social media to spark civic conversation

• Support local educators by donating history books or classroom supplies

• Attend a civic meeting or tour a government building to learn how local leadership works

 

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Did You Know? Presidential Trivia

Add some fun facts to your Presidents Day celebration:

• George Washington never lived in the White House, it wasn’t completed until after his presidency

• Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated, in 1865 at Ford’s Theatre

• Lincoln is the only U.S. president to hold a patent, for a device to lift boats over shoals

• Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, setting a tradition that lasted until 1940

• Presidents Day is one of the few holidays that doesn’t always fall on the actual birthday of the presidents it honors

• The Lincoln Memorial has 36 columns, one for each state in the Union at the time of his death

 

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