Washington’s Birthday, also known as Presidents Day, will be observed Monday, Feb. 16.
The annual observance began in the early 19th century. After George Washington’s death in 1799, his birthday — Feb. 22 — was celebrated informally across the young nation.
In 1879, Congress declared Feb. 22 a federal holiday.
A 1968 law moved the holiday to the third Monday of each February.
With the holiday no longer attached to the former president’s date of birth, the day came to celebrate all U.S. commanders in chief.
In addition to observing Washington’s Birthday, the Postal Service salutes presidents through its stamp program.
The most recent stamp to feature a president was last year’s release honoring Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, who served from 1977 to 1981 and died in 2024.
