Presidents Day is a Federal Holiday: Government offices and banks to close on February 17; here's the US Holidays 2025 list

What is Presidents Day?

• Washington was born on February 11, 1731, under the Julian calendar.
• In 1752, when Britain and its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, his birth date shifted to February 22, 1732.
• Over time, the holiday also came to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, who was born on February 12, 1809.
• The observance takes place between Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays, leading to the widely used term Presidents Day.

How did Presidents Day become a Federal Holiday?

• In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted several holidays, including Washington’s Birthday, to fixed Mondays.
• The change aimed to provide three-day weekends and minimize midweek workplace disruptions.
• Presidents Day is now observed on the third Monday of February, falling between February 15 and 21 each year.

• Over time, many states broadened the holiday’s scope to include Abraham Lincoln and, in some cases, all U.S. presidents.
• Despite the shift in public perception, the federal holiday is still legally referred to as Washington’s Birthday.

Presidents Day 2025: Know what’s close on Federal Holiday

• Federal and State Government offices – Closed.
• U.S. postal service – No mail delivery or post office services.
• Banks and credit unions – Closed, as Federal Reserve Banks observe the holiday.
• Stock markets – The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will be closed.
• Public schools – Most public schools will not hold classes.

What will remain open on Federal Holiday

• Retail stores and malls – Most major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, will be open.
• Restaurants and cafés – Popular chains and local eateries will operate as usual.
• Grocery stores and supermarkets – Major grocery chains will continue normal business hours.
• Public transportation – While transit services will run, some may operate on a reduced holiday schedule.

US holidays 2025 list