Presidents Day, celebrated on February 17, 2025, is a federal holiday honoring U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. While federal offices, banks, and the postal service are closed, most retail stores remain open, often offering sales. Observance varies by state, with some schools remaining open.
Presidents Day, officially known as Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. This year, it falls on February 17, 2025. While it originally honored the country's first president, George Washington, the holiday has evolved to celebrate all U.S. presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February. The holiday's observance affects various sectors, with many federal offices closed, while retail stores often remain open, offering special sales. This article explores the significance of the holiday and its impact on public services and businesses.
Presidents Day, initially established as Washington's Birthday, honors George Washington, the first U.S. president, born on February 22. The holiday was first recognized as a federal holiday in 1885, with the date later changed to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Law in 1971. This change aimed to provide consistent three-day weekends for federal employees. Over time, the holiday has come to honor all U.S. presidents, with Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, often included in the celebrations. Despite its widespread recognition as Presidents Day, the federal government still officially refers to it as Washington's Birthday [1].
Presidents Day significantly impacts public services as it is a federal holiday. The United States Postal Service will not deliver mail, and post offices will be closed. Similarly, most banks, following the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule, will not operate on this day. State offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles in states like Illinois, will also be closed. However, some services like UPS and FedEx will continue to operate, providing limited delivery options [2] [3].
While Presidents Day leads to the closure of federal offices and banks, many retail stores remain open, often offering Presidents Day sales to attract customers. The holiday's observance varies by state, with some schools remaining open and others closed. In Florida, for instance, most schools will be closed, except in certain counties where classes will be in session. Retail giants like Publix will operate as usual, ensuring that grocery shopping is not disrupted. The stock market, however, will be closed, aligning with the federal holiday schedule [4] [5].
Presidents Day serves as a reminder of the historical contributions of U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As a federal holiday, it impacts various sectors, with federal offices and banks closed, while retail stores capitalize on the opportunity with sales. The holiday's observance varies by state, reflecting the diverse ways in which Americans honor their past leaders. Whether through a day off work or a shopping spree, Presidents Day continues to hold significance in the American calendar.
"The holiday has expanded in the minds of the nation." - NBC Chicago Staff