Officially called Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. observed in honor of, that's right,  George Washington's birthday. First observed in 1880, Washington's Birthday was the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen, and as such was celebrated on February 22nd, regardless of what day of the week it occurred on. In 1968, a bill was introduced in Congress to officially rename the holiday Presidents' Day to honor Abraham Lincoln, who's birthday is on February 12, but it didn't get enough votes and failed to pass. In 1971, though, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act did move the observance of Washington's Birthday to the 3rd Monday in February.  The term Presidents' Day first made its way into common usage in the 1980s when advertisers began using the term to promote their sales events.  However, even though the holiday sometimes falls closer to Lincoln's birthday, as is the case in 2009, the federal government still officially calls it Washington's Birthday. Since Presidents' Day is a federal holiday, most federal offices and banks are closed.  Up until the late 1980s, many private companies also closed for Presidents' Day, much like they would for Memorial Day or Labor Day.  However, with the increasing occurrence of sales promotions, many businesses, espeially stores, began remaining open on Presidents' Day.

Although most Americans no longer celebrate Presidents' Day, some states have their own observances.  In Washington's home state of Virginia, it is legally known as "George Washington Day," while in Illinois, Lincoln's home state, February 12th is observed as a state holiday.  In Alabama, the 3rd Monday in February is called Presidents' Day in recognition of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, even though Jefferson's birthday is in April.  Finally, in New Mexico, Presidents' Day is observed on the Friday following Thanksgiving.  Perhaps the ultimate observance is in the Senate, where George Washington's farewell address is read on his birthday (his actual birthday, not on the federal holiday).  This tradition began in 1862 in light of the brewing Civil War, and has been done annually since 1893. So there you have it, Presidents' Day is officially recognized by the federal government as Washington's Birthday, but individual states have their own observances.  So tell me, do you get the 3rd Monday of February off?  And what types of events does your city or state do in honor of this day?