President’s Day

February 16 marks President’s Day, an unusual federal holiday that has no true definition. Originating as Washington’s birthday celebration, President’s Day has expanded to include whatever presidents a state feels should be honored. Obviously, this means that Washington and Lincoln, who were both born in February, are honored, though some states, including Tennessee, still officially recognize the holiday as President’s day, celebrating Washington’s birthday in and of itself. The holiday originated in 1879, when Congress passed an act to make Washington’s Birthday a state holiday in offices in Washington. Six years later, this would be expanded to include all federal and state offices in the nation. The name President’s/s’ Day wouldn’t find widespread use until the 1980s, when advertisers deemed the new name more marketable. Regardless of the holiday’s interpretation, observances have changed over the last three decades. Corporations have started staying open, while more and more schools close for the day.