Here's a little history that explains why and how we celebrate President's Day in our contemporary era, when the original holiday was established (and still is 'officially') to celebrate George Washington's birthday, which isn't until the 22nd...
History: Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.
So with that, I decided years ago to personally celebrate President's Day by acknowledging three of America's most liberating presidents, who all happen to have February birthdays, and who all made huge impacts in their respective centuries: George Washington, the first president who helped establish a nation's independence, freeing from foreign bondage; Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president who accomplished the realization of our founding freedom for all the citizenry, while preserving the union in the midst of civil war; and Ronald Reagan, the 40th president who reminded America of its exceptional place in the world, rejuvenating the belief in ourselves and the possibilities of a better tomorrow.
