Presidents' Day - 10 Things You Never Knew

1. It began in the 1880s when George Washington's Birthday, February 22 (or is it? See number 9), was celebrated as a federal holiday.

2. 1968, Congress voted to move a number of holidays to Monday so that laborers could have several long weekends throughout the year.

3. Presidents' Day is now celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February each year.

4. Also, in 1968, it was proposed that Washington's Birthday be renamed to Presidents' Day to honor Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12.  That change was rejected.

5. Although Congress voted to change Washington's Birthday to be celebrated on Monday, the change did not take effect until 1971.

6. Even though Congress rejected the name change, but Washington's Birthday is commonly known as Presidents' Day.

7. In Washington's home state of Virginia, the day is legally known as George Washington Day.

8. Tennessee (along with California, Idaho, and Texas) renamed Washington's Birthday to Presidents' Day.

9. There is some debate as to whether George Washington's actual birthday is February 22 or February 11.

10. Now, Presidents' Day is most well known for marketing campaigns and 3 day retail sales.

Thanks to History.com, Wikipedia, and About.com for the info!