Presidents' Day Countdown

Officially, it's Washington's Birthday

The federal holiday is still legally named Washington's Birthday; the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved it to the third Monday of February, and the broader 'Presidents' Day' name caught on from there.

A calendar quirk

Because the third Monday can only land between February 15 and 21, the holiday never actually falls on Washington's real birthday, February 22.

The holiday that isn't really named that

Federal law still calls this day Washington's Birthday — 'Presidents Day' is a nickname that stuck, boosted by 1970s advertising. Better yet: because the third Monday of February can only land on the 15th through the 21st, the holiday can never actually fall on Washington's real birthday, February 22.

Quick facts

• Observed on the third Monday of February
• Legally still named Washington's Birthday
• Moved to a Monday by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (effective 1971)
• Never falls on Washington's actual birthday, February 22
• The third Monday can never land on Washington's actual birthday

A U.S. federal holiday

Presidents' Day is one of the 11 official U.S. federal holidays. Not sure which one comes next? The next federal holiday countdown always ticks down to whichever is soonest — and the next long weekend countdown tells you when you're off work for 3 days straight.

Hail to the chiefs

Brush up on the presidents — or quiz the family on them.

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