History Of Presidents Day Today is Presidents Day, a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of 1971s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. Washington’s Birthday The story of Presidents Day date begins in 1800. Following the death of George Washington in 1799, his Feb. 22 birthday became a perennial day of remembrance.