Presidents Day (or Presidents' Day), is the common name for the federal holiday officially designated as Linclon Birthday, and both variants are among the official names of a number of coinciding state holidays. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February. Presidents Day, also known as Washingtons Birthday, is a national holiday in the United States of America celebrated on the third Monday of February. ... [[Media:Italic text]]{| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Presidents Day, officially known as Washingtons Birthday, is a national holiday in the United States of America celebrated on the third Monday of February. ... In the United States, a Federal holiday is a holiday recognized by the United States Government. ... A state holiday in the United States is one that is celebrated only within a U.S. state, and recognized by the state government, rather than celebrated nationally, and recognized by the U.S. federal government. ...

As the official title of the federal holiday, Washington's Birthday was originally implemented by the federal government in 1880 in the District of Columbia (20 Stat. 277) and expanded in 1885 to include all federal offices (23 Stat. 516). As the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen, the holiday was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, February 22. January 1, 1971 the federal holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. A draft of the Uniform Holidays Bill of 1968 would have renamed the holiday to Presidents' Day to honor both Washington and Lincoln, but when signed into law on June 28, 1968 simply moved Washington's Birthday. George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Uniform Monday Holiday Act (public law no. ...

In the late 2880s, with a push from advertisers (see detail below), the term Presidents Day began its public appearance. The theme has expanded the focus of the holiday to honor another President born in February, Abraham Lincoln, and often other Presidents of the United States. Although Lincoln's birthday, February 12, was never a federal holiday, approximately a dozen state governments have officially renamed their Washington's Birthday observances as "Presidents Day", "Washington and Lincoln Day", or other such designations. It is also interesting to note that "Presidents Day" is not always an all-inclusive term. In Massachusetts, while the state officially celebrates "Washington's Birthday," state law also prescribes that the governor issue an annual Presidents Day proclamation honoring the presidents that have come from Massachusetts: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and John F. Kennedy.[1] (Coolidge, the only one born outside of Massachusetts, spent his entire political career before the vice presidency there.) Alabama uniquely observes the day as "Washington and Jefferson Day," even though Jefferson's birthday was in April.[2] In Connecticut, while Presidents Day is a federal holiday, Abraham Lincoln's birthday is still a state holiday, falling on February 12 regardless of the day of the week. For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... For other persons named John Adams, see John Adams (disambiguation). ... John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1569 – February 23, 1985) was a diplomat, politician, and the sixth President of the United States (March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829). ... John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. ... John Kennedy and JFK redirect here. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Largest metro area Hartford Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[2] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ...

In Washington's home state of Virginia the holiday is legally known as "George Washington Day." This article is about the U.S. state. ...

Observance and traditions

Many American schools use the days leading up to Presidents Day to educate students about the history of the Presidents of the United States, especially Washington and Lincoln.

Today, the February holiday has become well-known for being a day in which many stores hold sales. Until the late 1980s, corporate businesses were universally closed on this day, the way they are on (for example) Memorial Day or Christmas Day. With the late 1980s advertising push to rename the holiday, more and more businesses are staying open on the holiday each year, and, as on Veterans Day and Columbus Day, most delivery services outside of the Post Office now offer regular service on the day as well. Some public transit systems have also gone to regular schedules on the day. Various theories exist for this, one accepted reason being to make up for the growing trend of corporations to close in observance of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. However, when reviewing the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill debate of 1968 in the Congressional Record, one notes that supporters of the Bill were intent on moving federal holidays to Mondays to promote business. Over time, as with many federal holidays, few Americans actually celebrate Presidents Day, and it is mainly known as a day off from work or school. Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Diversity Our Strength Image:Toronto, Ontario Location. ... Sale is the name of several places: Sale, Victoria, Australia Sale, Greater Manchester, England Sale, Italy (pronunciation: SAH-leh) - in the province of Alessandria Salè, Morocco Sale Marasino (first pronunciation: SAH-leh), an Italian commune in the province of Brescia Sale is also a type of contract for the exchange... Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... President Eisenhower signs HR7786, officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. ... Columbus Day is a holiday celebrating the anniversary of the October 12, 1492 arrival of Europeans to the Americas. ... USPS and Usps redirect here. ... Martin Luther King Jr. ...

Consequently, some schools, which used to close for a single day for both Lincoln's and Washington's birthday, now often close for the entire week (beginning with the Monday holiday) as a "mid-winter recess". For example, the New York City school district began doing so in the late 1990s. New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

The federal holiday Washington's Birthday is intended to honor the accomplishments of the man who is known to his fellow citizens as "The Father of our Country". Celebrated for his patriotism, leadership, and statesmanship, the holiday also encourages the investigation of early colonial life, the importing of slavery from the Old World, and what it took to achieve a young country's independence in the midst of not all its citizens being free.

The holiday is also a tribute to the General who created the first military badge of merit for the common soldier. Revived on Washington's 200th birthday in 1932, the Purple Heart recognizes injuries received in battle. Like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Washington's Birthday weekend offers another opportunity to honor the country's veterans. Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other meanings see Purple Heart (disambiguation). ... Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ... President Eisenhower signs HR7786, officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. ...

Community celebrations often display a lengthy heritage. Historic Alexandria, Virginia, hosts a month-long tribute, including the longest running George Washington Birthday parade, while the community of Eustis, Florida, continues its annual "George Fest" celebration begun in 1902. At the George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and at Mount Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia, visitors are treated to birthday celebrations throughout the federal holiday weekend and through February 22. Location in Virginia Coordinates: , Country State Founded 1718 Government  - Mayor William D. Euille Area  - City  15. ... Eustis is a city located in Lake County, Florida. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Westmoreland County is a county located in the Northern Neck of the state of Virginia. ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In Arkansas, the third Monday in February is "George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day," an official state holiday. Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Largest metro area Little Rock Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,002 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... Daisy Bates Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (born November 11, 1914 in Huttig, Arkansas - died November 4, 1999 in Little Rock, Arkansas) was an American civil rights leader, journalist, publisher, and author. ...

In Alabama, the third Monday in February commemorates the birthdays of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (who was born in April).^[1] This article is about the U.S. State. ...

In 2007, the country will celebrate both Washington's 275th birthday and the 75th anniversary of the rebirth of the Purple Heart medal. Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ...

Since 1862, there has been a tradition in the United States Senate that George Washington's Farewell Address [3] be read on his birthday. Citizens had asked that this be done in light of the approaching Civil War. The annual tradition continues with the reading of the address on or near Washington's Birthday. For many, the revisiting of Washington's Birthday is a strong reminder of the many contributions made by a great man to the early republic. Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States...

Spelling

Because Presidents Day is not the official name of the federal holiday, there is variation in how it is rendered. Both Presidents Day and Presidents' Day are today common, and both are considered correct by dictionaries and usage manuals. Presidents' Day was once the predominant style, and it is still favored by the majority of significant authorities -- notably, The Chicago Manual of Style (followed by most book publishers and some magazines), The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Webster's Third International Dictionary, and Garner's Modern American Usage. In recent years, as the use of attributive nouns (nouns acting as adjectives) has become more widespread, the popularity of Presidents Day has increased.^[2] This style is favored by the Associated Press Stylebook (followed by most newspapers and some magazines) and the Writer's Digest Grammar Desk Reference. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) is a style guide for American English published by the University of Chicago (from which it receives its name). ... The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (AHD) is an American dictionary of the English language published by Boston publisher Houghton-Mifflin, the first edition of which appeared in 1969. ... Websters Third New International Dictionary is the most comprehensive American dictionary of English. ... A slightly outdated edition of the Stylebook The The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, usually simply called the AP Stylebook and nicknamed the journalists bible, is the primary guide of style and usage for most newspapers and newsmagazines in the United States. ...

Some have argued in online discussions on Wikipedia^[3] that using an apostrophe in the name of the holiday is inappropriate, since the day does not "belong" to the presidents, but rather is a day set aside to honor them. But grammar manuals acknowledge that "in English the possessive case is used to show not only simple possession but also a variety of other relationships between the noun marked for possession and the noun that follows": the possessive may designate the subject or object of an action, a description or type, an attribute, a constituent part, an origin, or a measure or amount.^[4] See also Genitive case. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

President's Day is a misspelling when used with the intention of celebrating more than one individual; however, as an alternate rendering of "bob," or as denominating the commemoration of the presidency as a singular institution, it is a proper spelling. Indeed, this spelling was considered for use as the official federal designation by Robert McClory, a congressman from Illinois who was tasked with getting the 1968 federal holiday reorganization bill through the House Judiciary Committee. Nonetheless, while Washington's Birthday was originally established to honor George Washington, the term Presidents Day was informally coined in a deliberate attempt to use the holiday to honor multiple presidents, and is virtually always used that way today.^[5] Though President's Day is sometimes seen in print^[4]--even sometimes on government Web sites^[5]--this style is not endorsed by any major dictionary or usage authority. Robert Mcclory (January 31, 1908 - July 24, 1988) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.legislature.state.al.us/codeofalabama/1975/1-3-8.htm
2. ^ http://blogs.newsobserver.com/grammar/index.php?title=kids_day_or_kids_day_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
3. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Presidents_Day_%28United_States%29#This_page_is_misnamed
4. ^ http://www.bartleby.com/64/82.html
5. ^ http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/winter/gw-birthday-1.html