Why Do We Celebrate Presidents Day?

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

Happy Presidents Day!

Ever wonder why we celebrate Presidents Day? Learn all about Presidents Day, a United States national holiday, in this post. Then keep scrolling to read fun facts about the earliest US presidents and to download our FREE Presidents Day activity sheets, only from The Good and the Beautiful!

Print these FREE Presidents Day activities!

Why Do We Celebrate Presidents Day? | The Good and the Beautiful PDF Download Get Your FREE Download
  • George Washington


  • Why Do We Celebrate Presidents Day?

    For many years, George Washington’s birthday (February 22, 1732) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12, 1809) were celebrated as separate holidays to honor our first and sixteenth presidents, whom many consider to be the most famous of all the US presidents.

    However, with the passing of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, the two holidays were combined into one: Presidents Day. 

  • Abraham Lincoln

  • Presidents Day Celebrations Are Different by State

    Here’s an interesting fact: Not all states celebrate Presidents Day! A quick internet search can help you find out which states recognize this federal holiday.

    Many states recognize Presidents Day in honor of Washington’s, Lincoln’s, and other presidential birthdays on the third Monday of February.

    Some states choose to celebrate this national holiday in the later months of the year, near the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

    Other states also honor Thomas Jefferson, the country’s third president and a Founding Father from Virginia.

Fun Facts About the First US Presidents

In celebration of Presidents Day, learn more about our past US presidents! If you’re a history buff looking for an extra challenge, use our fun facts as history trivia. Maybe the winner will get to decide how you celebrate Presidents Day! See our ideas below for celebration inspiration.

Who was the first president to live in the White House?

The White House in Washington, DC, was not always the president’s home. George Washington lived in New York and Philadelphia. John Adams, the second president, moved into the unfinished “white house” in 1800. Then in 1801 Jefferson opened the house to public visitors. The formal name White House came 100 years later. Theodore Roosevelt named it due to—you guessed it—its white color!

Who laid the cornerstone of the US Capitol?

The cornerstone of the US Capitol was laid in the building’s southeast corner on September 18, 1793, by then-President George Washington. The Civil War interrupted work on the building, and it turned into a hospital, barracks, and even a bakery!

Which US President made the Louisiana Purchase?

Thomas Jefferson! He learned and spoke six languages during his lifetime and was a dedicated writer, penning more than 19,000 letters! These skills helped Jefferson negotiate the purchase of the 529,000,000-acre Louisiana Territory from France. Afterward he asked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore this newly acquired land. 

Who was the sixth president of the United States of America?

John Adams’s son, John Quincy Adams, became the sixth president in 1824.

How many past presidents died on July Fourth, and who are they?

Three past US presidents died on July Fourth, the historic day celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day and year: July 4, 1826, the Declaration’s 50th anniversary. President James Monroe died five years later, on July 4, 1831.

  • How tall was President James Madison?

    James Madison was only five feet four inches tall, a whole foot shorter than Abraham Lincoln. He attended Princeton and earned a “graduate” degree, which wasn’t even a formal program until nearly 100 years later! 

    Which US president inspired Lincoln Logs®?

    President Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin childhood home in Kentucky inspired the popular Lincoln Logs® blocks.

    Which US president got a speeding ticket?

    Ulysses S. Grant, the eighteenth president, was caught speeding in Washington, DC, with his horse and buggy. He was arrested and given a $20 speeding ticket for the offense, a high charge in those days! Today, presidents are driven around in a motorcade protected by the secret service.
  • A collage of US Constitution and Government course books with the text "Celebrating 250 Years of Independence" | The Good and the Beautiful

  • Study the Founding Fathers & US Constitution

    Teaching our children the principles of liberty is a powerful gift and responsibility!

    Presidents Day is a great occasion to learn more about the Declaration of Indepence, Founding Fathers, and US Constitution with our popular US Constitution and Government course.

  • Celebrating Presidents Day

    These are just a few of the fascinating stories of our country’s former leaders. There are many more fun facts to discover about the US presidents! 

    Presidents Day is a time to remember the sacrifices and triumphs of those who came before us. We celebrate what each contributed to the country we know and love.

Ways to Celebrate Presidents Day

If you’re looking for fun ways to celebrate Presidents Day, you’ve come to the right place! Read our ideas below to plan the celebration of the century. 

  • Have each member of your family choose a past US president to research and present on. Bonus points if you make special food or treat your president liked!
  • If you live in or near South Dakota, visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
  • Read our fun Presidents Day facts above—and quiz yourself or your family and friends with our president trivia!
  • Build Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin with Lincoln Logs®.
  • Learn more about the US Constitution in our popular US Constitution and Government course.
  • Learn about the American flag and make a flag-inspired treat. For example, you could make a charcuterie board, cake, or pie in the shape of the American flag. 
  • Sing patriotic songs, such as “America the Beautiful.”
  • Take your dog for a patriotic walk—as you’ll learn in our FREE Presidents Day activity sheets, George Washington loved dogs! He is largely credited for developing the American foxhound breed.
  • Color patriotic coloring pages or draw Presidents Day pictures of your own!

Does your family have any fun Presidents Day traditions? If so, tell us about them in the comments below!

In honor of this special day, don’t forget to get our exclusive (and FREE!) PDF download with a variety of Presidents Day printable activities. Simply click this link to download yours now!

Why Do We Celebrate Presidents Day? | The Good and the Beautiful PDF Download Get Your FREE Download

Frequently Asked Questions About Presidents Day

Where did Presidents Day come from?

In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, combining George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s annual birthday celebrations into one holiday: Presidents Day. However, Presidents Day is celebrated differently in different states: Some states celebrate it on different days, and some states focus on celebrating one Founding Father in particular.

How can I celebrate Presidents Day?

There are many wonderful ways to celebrate Presidents Day, but here are just a few:

  • If you live within driving distance, take a trip to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
  • Use our fun Presidents Day facts to learn about or to test your knowledge of our past US presidents. 
  • Ask each member of your family to choose a past US president to research and present on. 
  • Build with the toy inspired by Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln Logs®!
  • Read our full list above for more fun Presidents Day celebration ideas!

What is your FREE Presidents Day download?

Our FREE Presidents Day download is our patriotic activity sheet pack for kids! The download comes with fun spot-the-difference, matching, and word search activities, only found from The Good and the Beautiful!

What is the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971?

Written in 1968 and passed by Congress in 1971, this act provides “uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays, and for other purposes. The following public holidays became legal:

  • New Year’s Day, January 1
  • Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February (now Presidents Day)
  • Memorial Day, the last Monday in May
  • Independence Day, July 4 (Fourth of July)
  • Labor Day, the first Monday in September
  • Columbus Day, the second Monday in October
  • Veterans Day, the fourth Monday in October (changed to November 11 in 1978)
  • Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November
  • Christmas Day, December 25

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