Monday, Feb. 16 is Presidents Day, a federal holiday originally established to honor the birthday of our nation’s first president. Though often mistaken as a celebration of all U.S. presidents, the holiday was first designated as George Washington’s Birthday and became the first federal holiday to honor an individual’s birth date.
Congress officially recognized Feb. 22 as Washington’s birthday in 1885, and in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Law moved the observance to the third Monday in February. This shift, placing it between Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12), contributed to its modern name, Presidents Day.
What’s open and closed on Presidents Day 2026?
Post Offices and Mail Delivery
Banks
Shipping Services
Retail, Restaurants, and Grocery Stores
Government offices
Stock Market
Who is off for Presidents Day?
Federal holidays are those observed by the federal government, so anyone who works for the federal government generally has the day off. Federal holidays may also be observed on Monday or Friday if they fall on a weekend.
When are federal holidays in 2026?
After Presidents Day, there are eight more days throughout 2026 designated as federal holidays. Here’s a rundown of each one and when it is:
Contributing: USA Today network
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What’s open and closed on Presidents Day 2026? Here’s what to know
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
