States Celebrate US Presidents with Unique Honors Beyond George and Abe’s Special Days

TOPEKA, Kan. — The holiday known to most as Presidents Day has stirred confusion across the United States, with various states adopting their own interpretations and names. Officially, the federal holiday is designated as Washington’s Birthday, honoring the first president. Despite that, the holiday has evolved over the past several decades into a celebration that recognizes all U.S. presidents, although it has not coincided with any president’s actual birthday for over 50 years.

In recent discussions, some lawmakers are calling for a return to focusing solely on George Washington. “The concept of Presidents Day is a confusing mishmash of ideas,” stated Hunter Abell, a Republican legislator from Washington State, who is advocating for a change in his state’s holiday designation.

This federal holiday was first established in 1879, but it wasn’t until 1971 that it was assigned to the third Monday in February. States have since adopted varied names and observances. Of the 50 states, 34 still reference Washington in their laws, while 19 prefer some form of Presidents Day. California refers to it simply as “the third Monday in February.”

On the upcoming Monday, 47 states will recognize the holiday, although Indiana and Georgia commemorate Washington differently by giving their state workers time off the day after Christmas. Interestingly, Delaware has no official holiday, opting instead for a system of “floating holidays” for its state employees.

Some advocates, like those at Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, argue for a clear recognition of Washington’s legacy, desiring a return to the original holiday designation. They believe a vague holiday diminishes Washington’s character and achievements.

In states that still honor Washington by name, the day is often shared with other significant figures. For example, Alabama pairs him with Thomas Jefferson, while Arkansas shares the day with civil rights leader Daisy Gaston Bates. Notably, states like Abraham Lincoln’s home of Illinois commemorate him with separate observances, and 14 states have designated holidays just for Lincoln.

Several other states celebrate different presidents entirely. Iowa honors Herbert Hoover, Kansas celebrates Dwight Eisenhower, and Missouri observes Harry Truman. These state-specific holidays can go unnoticed, such as Hoover Day in Iowa, which many residents are unaware exists.

In light of this inconsistency, the question arises: how important are these holiday recognitions? The lack of public attention on some of them might suggest deep historical figures like Hoover don’t evoke strong public sentiments.

Conversely, notable presidential impersonators are prevalent during holiday events. Lincoln remains the most popular figure, engaging audiences across the nation. John Cooper, president of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, reported overwhelming positivity from audiences during his performances, indicating a continued fascination with the 16th president.