Culture Brief: Washington’s Birthday

Washington’s Birthday or Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated the third Monday in February. The holiday was originally celebrated on February 22, the exact day on which the first U.S. president was born. 

Presidents Day often commemorates both George Washington (left) and Abraham Lincoln (right), as well as other presidents of the United States.  Abraham Lincoln (born February 12, 1809) is highly revered as one of the greatest presidents of the United States.  Before and during the American Civil War, he insisted that slavery, practiced in many states, be abolished. 

Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday in the United States.  Schools, government offices, banks, the stock exchanges, and many businesses are closed for the holiday.  Nearly all  stores are open.   How is the holiday observed?  Most conspicuously: 

• Before the holiday, schoolchildren may have special lessons in American history.
• Many stores have sales to discount their merchandise for the end of winter and the upcoming spring season.