Until 1971, both February 12 and February 22 were
observed as federal holidays to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln
(Feb. 12) and George Washington (Feb. 22).
In 1971 President
Richard Nixon proclaimed one single federal holiday, the
Presidents' Day, to be observed on the third
Monday of February, honoring all past presidents of the United States
of America.
Please Note: The Federal statute designates this day as
Washington's Birthday, President Nixon issued a proclamation declaring
the holiday as "President's Day" in 1971. President Nixon erroneously
believed that a Presidential proclamation on the matter carried the
same weight as an Executive Order.
Since that change in 1971, the common term has been "President's
Day".
-
- Abraham
Lincoln's Birthday (February 12)
- George
Washington's Birthday (February 22)
