Does anyone know what President’s Day is truly about? A majority of people take the holiday for granted, but it actually recognizes Washington’s Birthday, which was on February 22, 1732. It was one of the eleven permanent holidays established by Congress, yet the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen. Most Americans thought the holiday honored Lincoln and Washington’s birthdays which are on February 12 and 22 respectively. So why is the actual holiday on the fifteenth?

Washington’s birthday had been celebrated ever since the late eighteenth century. It became a federal holiday after President Chester Arthur signed a bill in 1885. Then in 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act. Some people attempted to change the holiday to President’s Day for both Lincoln and Washington, but the idea was rejected. It officially honored the accomplishments of our first President.

"I thought it was supposed to celebrate the birthdays of all the presidents," said Daisy Mendoza, freshman.