Washington's Birthday in the United States
When is Washington's Birthday in United States?
Washington's Birthday in United States is on February 17, 2025. It falls on Monday.
How many days until Washington's Birthday in United States?
There are 84 Days left until Washington's Birthday in the United States.
Is Washington's Birthday a public holiday in United States?
Washington’s Birthday is celebrated annually every third Monday of February. This federal holiday was declared as an official holiday in 1879. It is traditionally celebrated in honor of the First President of the United States, George Washington. Other states referred the day as “Presidents’ Day” since it is also frequently celebrated to recognize and honor all Presidents in the country.
Washington's Birthday Origin
George Washington, born on February 22, 1732, was a former Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He became the first president of the United States after its first quadrennial presidential election, serving from 1789 to 1797.
Washington’s Birthday and its other Official Holiday Names
Originally, Washington’s Birthday was instituted in the United States to recognize and honor George Washington. However, some of the country’s states put emphasis to Abraham Lincoln instead, celebrating Lincoln’s Day rather than Washington’s Birthday. While there are states which continued to adopt Washington’s Birthday, some other states use both Washington and Lincoln as the holiday’s official title. Other areas also refer to it as Presidents’ Day. The official name of this holiday therefore varies depending on which state one is residing. Today, the third Monday of February is celebrated as either Presidents’ Day, Lincoln’s Day, Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday, or Washington’s Birthday.
When did Washington’s Birthday became a holiday?
In 1879, Washington’s Birthday became a federal holiday in the United States. Although born on February 22nd, the holiday falls on the third Monday of the said month due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 – an act which switch the holiday’s observance to consistently occur on the third Monday of February each year.
Washington's Birthday Traditions
As a federal holiday, government institutions, post offices, schools, and universities are suspended on this day. However, many other businesses remain open for the public e.g. shops, stores, restaurants, and others. Most of these establishments would even offer discounts and other promotions which many Americans take advantage of.
Community and National Celebrations
Nowadays, some parts in the United States celebrate this holiday through concerts and special parades. The parade held in Washington’s hometown in Alexandria, Virginia is considered the largest George Washington Birthday parade organize each year. Events which feature speeches from important figures are also arranged both by the local and national organizations. Speeches are addressed to pay tribute to Washington’s and Lincoln’s achievements and influence on the American society. Some areas in the country (like George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County) also organize birthday treats for their visitors on this day.
In addition, reading George Washington’s Farewell Address (a letter he wrote before the end of his presidency) has also become a traditional practice in the United States House and Senate during the holiday’s celebration. This tradition is one of the most long-established customs during Washington’s Birthday.
Public Lectures
Parents and educational institutions also made it a practice to teach children about the life and work of Washington, Lincoln, and other Presidents. On this day, some of the country’s schools and universities are even utilized to conduct educational lectures focusing on Washington’s and other President’s accomplishments and contributions.
Family Gatherings
With the holiday’s observance, most of the employees are given a day off and tend to spend it together with their loved ones. American families are sometimes seen having family gatherings on this day. Traditional foods prepared include roast, hot chocolates, and cherry pies. Cherry pie is a food associated with Washington’s Birthday. Back in Washington’s younger days, there is a story of him chopping down his father’s cherry tree in their garden and being honest to him about it. Today, cherry pies have become a popular treat to be eaten during the holiday.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 17 | Monday | Washington's Birthday |
| 2026 | February 16 | Monday | Washington's Birthday |
| 2027 | February 15 | Monday | Washington's Birthday |
| 2028 | February 21 | Monday | Washington's Birthday |
| 2029 | February 19 | Monday | Washington's Birthday |
| 2030 | February 18 | Monday | Washington's Birthday |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Day | November 28, 2024 |
| Day after Thanksgiving Day | November 29, 2024 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2024 |
Download or print free 2024 calendar which includes the list of holidays in United States. Free holiday calendar templates in more than 130 countries are provided in PDF, Excel, and Microsoft Word format. For those who like to get a calendar that starts on Monday, we also have ISO calendar.
The November 2024 monthly calendar for the United States shows the holidays for the month, which is helpful in planning schedule and events in reference to the upcoming holidays in the US. It is available in PDF, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel formats. You may select your preferred orientation and preferred start of week since we have Monday start calendar or Sunday start calendar.
If you are looking to print or download just a list of holidays in United States for the year 2024, we have that available in PDF, Word and Excel formats. This can be helpful for those who like to keep track of the holidays, be it for travel, work or any other purposes. It is free to use, just like the rest of our templates.