Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 18 this year! While your kids are home from school, here are some fun facts to educate them on what President’s Day means and why we celebrate it!
- Presidents’ Day was established in 1885 in honor of George Washington, whose birthday fell on February 22.
- Originally falling on Washington’s actual birth date each year, Presidents’ Day was moved to the third Monday in February as a part of the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which was established to create more three-day weekends for workers.
- According to the federal government, the holiday’s official name is still “Washington’s Birthday.”
- On February 22nd each year, Washington’s farewell address is still read in the United States Senate.
Presidents’ Day is to commemorate our great leaders. Here are some facts about our first president, George Washington:
- Was the first President of the United States and served from April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797.
- Is the only president in the nation’s history to have been unanimously elected by the Electoral College.
- Established the two-term precedent for presidents after declining to serve a third term and retiring to his home in Virginia, called Mount Vernon.
- Began school at age six, but left at age 15 to become a surveyor, since his mother couldn’t afford to send him to college.
- Never had children of his own. At age 26, Washington married Martha Dandridge Curtis, who already had two children.
Thanks Sylvan Learning for all these fun facts! Click here for more fun presidential facts, or here for a virtual tour of the White House. Happy Presidents’ Day!