Presidents’ Day, initially called Washington’s Birthday, became a federal holiday in 1880. It was celebrated on President Washington’s birthday – February 22 – and was the first holiday dedicated to a US citizen. This holiday was signed into law in 1968.
By the mid 1980s, many state governments changed this holiday Presidents’ Day so that it could be a day to celebrate the presidency, as opposed to just George Washington.
While it is still officially called Washington’s Birthday, today it celebrates not only George Washington, but Abraham Lincoln and the presidency in general.
There is a parade on February 22 in Alexandria, VA to celebrate this holiday.
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