How did George Washington’s Birthday become a holiday?George Washington’s Birthday is celebrated as a federal holiday on the third Monday in February. It is one of eleven permanent holidays established by Congress.
Contrary to celebrated belief,neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to “President’s Day.”
George Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, or according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752,however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar which moved Washington’s birthday a year and 11 days to February 22, and 1732.
Washington’s Birthday was celebrated on February 22nd until well into the 20th Century. However,in 1968 Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law to “provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays.” By creating more 3-day weekends, Congress hoped to “bring substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of the Nation.” Read More
Source: tumblr.com