Because the U.S. federal holiday Presidents’ Day falls on the third Monday in February, some Americans are looking forward to an extra day of rest this weekend.Presidents’ Day in 2026 is Monday, February 16. Originally established to celebrate George Washington’s birthday, the holiday is now seen as a day to honor everyone who has held a high-level office in the United States, providing a winter break for government and some non-government workers, according to USA Today.Presidents’ Day, the third Monday in February, is a federal holiday and has been since 1879. Technically, Presidents’ Day is still officially known as “Washington’s Birthday.”
What places are closed on Presidents Day?
Government offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, as will U.S. Postal Service post offices, and no mail will be delivered that day. Stock markets and branches of banks, including Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Chase, Truist and Citibank, were also closed.Retailers, grocery stores and pharmacies may close or adjust their hours for the holiday. People are advised to check their nearest location for holiday timing information before heading out shopping on February 16.
Why celebrate?
According to the Library of Congress, Presidents’ Day was established by Congress in 1879 to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Act changed the date of celebration from February 22, Washington’s actual birthday, to the third Monday in February.Since Abraham Lincoln’s birthday fell on February 12, the holiday soon became commonly known as Presidents’ Day, honoring all U.S. presidents. However, no laws or bills have been passed to change the official name of the holiday, which remains officially designated by OPM as Washington’s Birthday.President Lyndon Johnson mandated that holiday, along with Memorial Day and Veterans Day, fall on Mondays to avoid midweek closures. By signing the Uniform Holidays Act, Johnson created longer weekends so Americans can “go farther and see more of our beautiful land,” according to the American Presidential Project.
