While the day is now known colloquially as “President’s Day,” the third Monday in February started as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday. The day became a federal holiday to celebrate Washington’s February 22 birthday, though some states now use the holiday to honor other presidents in addition to our nation’s first!
Utah recognizes the day as “Washington and Lincoln Day,” in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12. Colorado, Ohio, Montana and Minnesota also have some variation of the holiday from the names of the first and sixteenth presidents. In Alabama, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday (April 13) is celebrated with Washington on the 18th, and in Arkansas, the day recognizes Washington and the life of activist Daisy Lee Gatson Bates. So whoever you choose to recognize today, it’s important to remember to be grateful for the life and work of those who came before us. Without any of these incredible people, our country — and our state — wouldn’t be what it is today. Tags: february 22, holiday, lincoln, president's day, utah holiday, utah legislature, utah senate, washingtonHappy Washington and Lincoln Day!
February 19, 2019