When is President's Day? Are banks and schools closed? What Georgians should know
It's February, and the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day aren't the only occasions to look out for this month.
President's Day is right around the corner, which could mean a three-day weekend for some. So when is it and who's getting the lucky break? Here's what we know:
President's Day is on Monday, Feb. 17. The holiday always falls on the third Monday of February.
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While President's Day is a federal holiday, it's not a national holiday, meaning each state can decide how they want to celebrate it.
A state holiday is one in which the Georgia State Capitol and state office buildings are closed. President's Day is not a Georgia state holiday, meaning these facilities will be open.
The USA Today Network checked multiple Georgia public schools (K-12 and college level) and found that they were all closed on President's Day. However, this is not a universal rule and it's worth checking your school's calendar to be certain.
Banks and financial services generally close the same days the Federal Reserve observes, which follows the federal holiday schedule. However, while many banks are closed, such as Wells Fargo and Chase, TD Bank will be open, according to its website.
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The United States Postal Service is closed on President's Day, meaning no usual mail delivery. However, Holiday Premium Priority Mail Express and Holiday Same Day Package Delivery will still be operating, according to a memo from the USPS.
President's Day was initially established in 1879 to celebrate the birthday of the nation's first president, George Washington. It was believed the Founding Father was born on Feb. 11, 1731, according to a then-used Julian calendar. But when the colonies shifted to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, Washington's birth was also moved to Feb. 22, according to the National Archives.
Washington's birthday was an unofficial observance for most of the 1800s. In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law, according to History.com. It became a nationwide holiday by 1885 and the first to celebrate the life of an individual American.
The holiday has since shifted to celebrate and recognize all past U.S. presidents, despite Congress nor the President having ever stipulated that the name of the holiday once known as "Washington's Birthday" be changed to Presidents Day, according to the National Archives. Further, the U.S. Code that specifies holidays for federal employees identifies the holiday as "Washington's Birthday."
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Is President's Day a federal holiday? Are banks closed? Are schools closed?
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