History of Washington’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day
Washington’s Birthday was first celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States in 1879 to honor George Washington, the first U.S. president and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Initially, it was observed on February 22, Washington’s actual birthday. However, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved the holiday to the third Monday in February to create more three-day weekends for workers. This change took effect in 1971.
Over time, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day, although it is still officially referred to as Washington’s Birthday at the federal level. This shift occurred partly because the holiday falls close to Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, and it has become a day to honor all U.S. presidents.
Ideas to Celebrate Presidents’ Day
Here are some engaging ways to celebrate Presidents’ Day:
Decorations and Activities
- Patriotic Decorations: Use American flags, balloons, and other patriotic-themed decorations to set the mood.
- Presidential Trivia Contest: Organize a trivia game with questions about U.S. presidents and American history.
- Photo Booth: Create a photo booth with presidential-themed props like hats and fake mustaches.
Educational and Cultural Activities
- Presidential Timeline: Create a timeline of all U.S. presidents to visualize their order and historical context.
- Presidential Portraits: Have children recreate portraits of different presidents using art supplies.
- Presidential Speeches: Analyze famous speeches and discuss their significance.
Entertainment and Community Events
- Patriotic Music: Play patriotic tunes or have a karaoke session with American classics.
- Patriotic Picnic: Host a picnic with traditional American foods like hot dogs and apple pie.
- Community Events: Attend local events such as reenactments or historical presentations, like those at the American Village.
Family and Nature Activities
- Nature Walk: Take a nature walk and look for items that are red, white, and blue.
- Historical Documentaries: Watch documentaries about U.S. presidents or historical events.
These activities will help you celebrate Presidents’ Day with a mix of fun, education, and patriotism.
Patriotic Fun Zone 