President's Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  President George Washington's Birthday, commonly known as President's Day, is thought of by many people as just another day off from work or school. The holiday is actually intended to honor and respect our nation's first commander-in-chief.

According to the National Archives, President's day was originally introduced in 1880 and expanded in 1885 to include all federal offices. It was the first official holiday to honor an American citizen and was celebrated on Washington's date of birth, February 22. In 1971, the date of the holiday was changed to the third Monday of the month under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

As with Memorial Day or Veteran's day, the holiday is another occasion to honor the country's veterans. In 1927, the motion to revive the Badge of Military Merit first established by Washington was proposed by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Charles P. Summerall. The bill was withdrawn, but Summerall's successor, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, reopened work on a new case. He established what would eventually become the Purple Heart, a medal awarded to military members wounded in hostile actions against the enemy.

Today, the holiday is well known for the sales many stores hold. Until the late 1980s, businesses typically closed on this day as they would on other holidays. In the 1980s, stores created the holiday sales and gave the date a more common name, President's Day.

Events held on President's Day include parades, carnivals, lying of a wreath, special museum exhibits and stories of our nation's early years of independence.

In all, the holiday honors Washington's actions that established American independence.