Need to know more about President’s Day? Check out these 5 facts that will help you figure out its origin, what’s closed, and what President’s Day is all about:
5. What’s closed:
Post offices
Schools and universities
Financial markets
Federal, state, and local government offices
Libraries
Public transit may run on a special schedule; check with your city
Some banks are closed; check with yours
4. First made official to celebrate George Washington’s birthday, the holiday is officially called “Washington’s Birthday.” In the late 1970s, it was unofficially adapted to celebrate all presidents. Nixon declared that the holiday should take place on the third Monday in February. As a result, many people call the holiday “President’s Day.” George Washington’s actual birthday is on February 22.
3. Some states have different celebrations for President’s Day. Alexandria, VA celebrates a tribute to presidents for an entire month. Arkansas also holds Daisy Gatson Bates day on President’s Day (Bates was a civil rights leader). The state of New Mexico observes President’s Day on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
2. This year, George Washington turns 277 years old.
1. If he had been around in this day and age, Washington may have seen the financial crisis coming. As he once said, “few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”
If New Mexico observes Presidents Day on the Friday after Thanksgiving, then why is everything in the Albuquerque area closed today? I don’t think that ‘fact’ is correct.
Nona, when I read the news, it looks like the federal establishments in NM might be closed today (on this federal holiday), but the state establishments celebrate that “other” President’s Day–http://www.daily-times.com/ci_11713485. However, I’m not in NM, so can’t speak for the state.
Interesting if San Juan County does does that. The 2 state agencies near where I work are closed today though, so it may only be a San Juan County thing.