This holiday honors George Washington, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Washington served as president from 1789 to 1797. He is best remembered as a patriot, signer of the Declaration of Independence, leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and first president of the United States. Americans refer to George Washington as the "Father of Our Country".

George Washington's Birthday was first celebrated in 1796, while he was still alive. At the time, there was some confusion as to whether it should be celebrated on February 11, or February 22. George Washington was born in 1732 before the adoption by the colonies of the Gregorian Calendar. Under the Old Style Calendar his birthday would fall on February 11, under the Gregorian Calendar it falls on February 22. Eventually February 22 was accepted as the day on which to celebrate his birthday. His birthday was a federal public holiday until 1971. President Richard Nixon decided to combine the holiday of Washington's Birthday, with the holiday of Lincoln's Birthday, and make one holiday honoring all presidents. When President's Day was adopted in 1971, Washington's Birthday was no longer a federal public holiday. Washington's Birthday is still a legal holiday in some states.

Note: This holiday is one of Calendar Mine's over 500 built-in observances.

See Also

Holiday Catalogue

American (USA) Observances