Washington's Birthday
Washington's Birthday or now more commonly called "President's Day" is a federal holiday in the United States of America. It was originally celebrated on his actual birthday which is February 22. In 1968 the United States Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act which changed the official observance of Washington's Birthday to the third Monday in February. Some political leaders wanted to change the official name of the holiday to President's Day to honor both Abraham Lincoln (whose birthday is February 12) and Washington but that proposal was turned down by Congress. State governments are not bound to have a state observance of that day, but all fifty states and the District of Columbia do. 29 states and the District of Columbia officially call the day George Washington's Birthday[1]. Georgia and Iowa are among those states, but they do not have a day off for state employee's that day. 13 states officially call the day "President's Day". 5 states officially call the day "Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday". Alabama officially calls the day "Washington's and Jefferson's Birthday". In Arkansas, the day is officially "Washington's birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day". In Colorado, the day is officially "Washington-Lincoln" Day.
Early History
Washington's Birthday was publicly celebrated in the late 18th Century when George Washington was still President of the United States. Washington's Birthday became an official federal holiday in 1885 when President Chester Arthur signed a bill making it a federal holiday. Ronbu 23:31, 18 February 2008 (EST)
