Every year in February, Presidents Day is celebrated in the United States. Did you know that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is on the same month? Yes, it’s true, we are just not celebrating United States presidents but also birthdays! In this story, I’m going to tell you about Presidents Day and former President’s Birthday.

All the way back to 1885, Presidents day was a recognition of President George Washington. To this day the federal government officially calls this day “Washington’s Birthday”. As the first-ever federal holiday to honor American president, the holiday was celebrated on George Washington’s Birthday but, “On January 1st, 1971, the holiday shifted to the third of the Monday by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act” (How It Started). It is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate former and present Presidents.

Did you know that both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are celebrated on the same day for their birthday? Well yes, it is. Since Lincoln’s Birthday is on the 12th and Washington is on the 22nd since it is between each other the federal government had decided to celebrate their birthdays together so it will be easier since both of their birthdays are in February.

Did you know in 1700s, George Washington’s birthday was celebrated while he was still alive and many of the U.S. took part in the festivities. “In 1879, approximately one century later, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the bill making February 22nd a federal holiday.  Cherries are very popular when making desserts for celebrating George Washington’s birthday. The reason for the popularity of cherries relates directly to a story about George Washington. When asked if he’d cut down a cherry tree, George Washington said he could not tell a lie”(Facts).

President’s Day is a good way to show our former presidents and present presidents that we appreciate what they do. These are some of the basic reasons why we celebrate. There have been a lot of presidents, and they all did something for our country.