Is Presidents Day a State Holiday?
Presidents Day, also known as Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday celebrated in the United States. However, the status of Presidents Day as a state holiday varies from one state to another. While it is a federal holiday, not all states recognize it as a state holiday. This article aims to explore the differences in how Presidents Day is observed across the United States and whether it is considered a state holiday in each state.
Understanding the Federal Holiday
Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February each year, in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The holiday was originally established to celebrate Washington’s birthday, which is on February 22nd. Over time, the holiday was expanded to include Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, which is on February 12th, as well. This expansion was intended to honor both of these significant figures in American history.
State Holiday Recognition
While Presidents Day is a federal holiday, its recognition as a state holiday varies. Some states have adopted Presidents Day as a state holiday, while others have retained the original Washington’s Birthday as their official holiday. Here is a breakdown of how some states handle the recognition of Presidents Day:
– States that recognize Presidents Day as a state holiday:
– Alabama
– California
– Colorado
– Connecticut
– Delaware
– Florida
– Georgia
– Hawaii
– Idaho
– Illinois
– Indiana
– Iowa
– Kansas
– Kentucky
– Louisiana
– Maine
– Maryland
– Massachusetts
– Michigan
– Minnesota
– Mississippi
– Missouri
– Montana
– Nebraska
– Nevada
– New Hampshire
– New Mexico
– New York
– North Carolina
– North Dakota
– Ohio
– Oklahoma
– Oregon
– Pennsylvania
– Rhode Island
– South Carolina
– South Dakota
– Tennessee
– Texas
– Utah
– Vermont
– Virginia
– Washington
– West Virginia
– Wisconsin
– Wyoming
– States that recognize Washington’s Birthday as a state holiday:
– Alaska
– Arizona
– Arkansas
– District of Columbia
– Florida (for government employees)
– Georgia (for government employees)
– Hawaii (for government employees)
– Idaho (for government employees)
– Indiana (for government employees)
– Iowa (for government employees)
– Kansas (for government employees)
– Kentucky (for government employees)
– Louisiana (for government employees)
– Maine (for government employees)
– Maryland (for government employees)
– Massachusetts (for government employees)
– Michigan (for government employees)
– Minnesota (for government employees)
– Mississippi (for government employees)
– Missouri (for government employees)
– Montana (for government employees)
– Nebraska (for government employees)
– Nevada (for government employees)
– New Hampshire (for government employees)
– New Mexico (for government employees)
– New York (for government employees)
– North Carolina (for government employees)
– North Dakota (for government employees)
– Ohio (for government employees)
– Oklahoma (for government employees)
– Oregon (for government employees)
– Pennsylvania (for government employees)
– Rhode Island (for government employees)
– South Carolina (for government employees)
– South Dakota (for government employees)
– Tennessee (for government employees)
– Texas (for government employees)
– Utah (for government employees)
– Vermont (for government employees)
– Virginia (for government employees)
– Washington (for government employees)
– West Virginia (for government employees)
– Wisconsin (for government employees)
– Wyoming (for government employees)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the status of Presidents Day as a state holiday varies across the United States. While it is a federal holiday, some states have adopted it as their official holiday, while others have retained the original Washington’s Birthday. This discrepancy highlights the diverse approaches that states take in recognizing historical figures and federal holidays.
