American Holidays
	Introduction Martin Luther King Day I Presidents' Day 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

Until the mid-1970s, the February 22 birthday of George Washington, hero of the Revolutionary War and first president of the United States, was a national holiday. In addition, the February 12 birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the president during the Civil War (1861-1865), was a holiday in most states.

In the 1970s, Congress declared that in order to honor all past presidents of the United States, a single holiday, to be called Presidents' Day, would be observed on the third Monday in February. In many states, however, the holiday continues to be known as George Washington's birthday.

Abridged from U.S. State Deparment IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.

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U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers  Updated: May 2002