American Holidays > Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) Introduction I Martin Luther King Day I I Memorial Day I Independence Day I Labor Day I Columbus Day I Veterans Day I Thanksgiving I Christmas Other : Ethnic & Religious Observances I Other Celebrations I Halloween

What kind of information materials are available?
Background · American Experience: The Presidents · The American Presidency · Celebrate! President's Day CD · Outline of U.S. Government: The Powers of the Presidency CD · POTUS: Presidents of the United States · President George W. Bush CD · President's Day · The Presidents of the United States · Today in History: February 22, George Washington's Birthday · U.S. Presidency and the Presidents · Life in the White House · Washington's Birthday Holiday Honors "Father of Our Country" · Washington's Birthday or Presidents' Day? · White House Historical Association Original Documents · Abraham Lincoln Papers · George Washington Papers · Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents · Public Papers of the Presidents Exhibits - Digital Images · Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library · The American Presidency: Glorious Burden · The Artful Presidency. Selections from the Archives of American Art · Historic Mount Vernon · Mr. Lincoln's White House · Phototour of Abraham Lincoln Places · Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies For High School Students · Online Lesson: President's Day · President's Day · U.S. Presidents. United in Service · Presidents of the United States   Portrait of George Washington. Created/Published : c1828 by Pendleton's Lithography. Housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress According to the federal government, the holiday observed on the third Monday in February is officially Washington's Birthday. But many Americans believe that this holiday is now called "Presidents' Day," in honor of both Presidents Washington and Lincoln, whose birthdays are Feb. 22 and Feb. 12, respectively. In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act, which moved the official observance of Washington's birthday from Feb. 22 to the third Monday in February. Some reformers had wanted to change the name of the holiday as well, to Presidents' Day, in honor of both Lincoln and Washington, but that proposal was rejected by Congress, and the holiday remained officially Washington's Birthday. But in 1971, when the Act went into effect, President Nixon proclaimed the holiday as Presidents' Day, to commemorate all past presidents, not just Lincoln and Washington. This idea was never intended or authorized by Congress; nevertheless, it gained a strong hold on the public consciousness. Although some states do celebrate Presidents' Day as a state holiday, it has never been recognized at the federal level. On the national level, the third Monday of February is the official observance of Washington's Birthday. The misconceptions and confusions surrounding this holiday are explained in a two part article titled "By George, IT IS Washington's Birthday!" in Prologue, Winter 2004, a publication of the National Archives and Records Administration. See also: About the USA > US History About the USA > Government > The Executive Branch
Teacher Resources · American Presidents Resources · George Washington: The Living Symbol · George Washington: Resources for Teachers · Hail to the Chief! -- Lessons for Presidents' Day · Presidential Places. Exploring American Presidential Landmarks · Scholastic Teaching Resource > Presidency of the U.S · White House Historical Association: Classroom   Link Lists · Abraham Lincoln Research Site · Presidential Libraries · President's Day Resources · Yahoo! Holidays and Observances: Presidents Day
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
Feature Artikel:
Washington's Birthday Holiday Honors First President Americans long have honored George Washington, commander of the United States armies in the War of Independence, first president of the United States, and "first in the hearts of his countrymen." (America.gov, February 15, 2008.)
What kind of information materials are available? CD: These documents are available in fulltext format on the About the USA CD-ROM. Teachers: Request a copy for classroom use. L: Selected documents are available in German as well as other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Persian and Turkish.

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U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers  Updated: March 2009.