National History: Presidents Day

​What would America be without George Washington? We may not speak like Doctor Who or use the Queen's currency but America's first president did a LOT for the founding of our nation. He was born on February 22nd, 1732. The day was celebrated even during his lifetime and became a federal holiday in January 31, 1879. It wasn't until June of 1968, and Congress' “Uniform Monday Holiday Act" was the holiday moved to the third Monday of the month (the law took effect in '71).
 
The name “Presidents’ Day” was proposed for this day as a way to show respect for all that held the office (Lincoln's birthday is the 12th) but the government never officially changed the name. It wasn't until 1980s advertising campaigns did the name became popularized and widely accepted.