What holiday is today? Here's why there is no mail, other closures on Monday
Presidents Day is Monday, a federal holiday that began as a commemoration of one founding father that has since expanded to honoring all presidents of America.
It's a holiday that brings bank and school closures, as well as one that many Americans may use to score shopping deals and discounts.
The origins of the holiday lie with George Washington, whose birthday — Feb. 22 — was declared a federal holiday in the late 19th century, according to the Library of Congress. The holiday was known as Washington's Birthday, and it is still designated as such in the United States code, said the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Presidents Day is always on a Monday. The Uniform Holidays Act of 1968 changed what day the holiday Washington's Birthday would fall on. Instead of on the founding father's birthday, the holiday would be observed on the third Monday of February, according to the Library of Congress.
Part of the reason President Lyndon B. Johnson, who signed the act into law, made the day a uniform holiday was so that Americans had a long weekend "to travel farther and see more of this beautiful land of ours," he wrote, USA TODAY reported.
The federal holiday's proximity to President Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12 'gave rise to the popular name of Presidents Day,' according to the National Archives.
Now, the holiday is often viewed as way to recognize all U.S. presidents.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed on Presidents Day, according to the DMV's holiday calendar.
U.S. Postal Service post offices are closed Monday, and mail will not be delivered, USA TODAY reported.
Banks and financial services generally close on the days the Federal Reserve observes, following the federal holiday schedule. This includes Wells Fargo and Chase.
USA TODAY NETWORK reporter Lori Comstock contributed to this article.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Is today a federal holiday? No mail, plus other closures on Monday
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