Did you know that there are four Presidents with a birthday in February? Abraham Lincoln’s is on February 12. George Washington’s is on February 22. Ronald Reagan’s is on February 6. William Henry Harrison’s is on February 9.

President’s Day is closest to Washington’s birthday, the third Monday in February. Following the death of George Washington in 1799, around 1800, his birthday became a day of remembrance to honor him. During this time, Washington was one of the most important figures in American History.

Many events in 1832 honored the centennial of his birth. Ther was also the start of construction for the Washington Monument in 1848 to honor him and was the cause for a national celebration.

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln sighed and issued a proclamation declaring February 22 a day of celebration. The federal holiday was officially in 18679.

In the late 1960’s, Congress passed a measure known as the Uniform Holiday Act that was initiated by Senator Robert McClory of Illinois. This law happened in order to shift the celebration of several federal holidays from specific dates to a series a predetermined Mondays.

In section 6103 (a) of title five of the United States laws, this holiday as designated as “Washington’s Birthday”. It specifies holidays as a federal holiday for federal employees.

Passed in 1968, it was signed into law by President Richard M. Nixon. This holiday combined Abraham Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays because Lincoln’s birthday was already a state holiday in places like Illinois.