[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

“ The "Presidents’ Day" Misnomer

Today the nation typically combines Washington’s Birthday with Presidents’ Day, celebrating both days on the third Monday in February. However, Presidents’ Day is not the official name of the holiday.

While the name “Presidents’ Day” was proposed for this Monday holiday in 1951, the U.S. government never officially changed the name. In the 1980s, thanks to advertising campaigns for holiday sales, the term became popularized and largely accepted.

The idea behind the name was to create a holiday that did not recognize a specific president, but rather celebrated the office of the presidency. This joint recognition would also celebrate President Lincoln's February 12 birthday within the same period, but arguably, George Washington (the Father of our country) deserves his own day. ” George Washington's Birthday or Presidents Day? * George Washington's Mount Vernon

Illinois used to have a state holiday on February 12 too, and two holidays in one month was considered too much by some people, so Presidents’ Day was adopted by the business community.

They figured out if they didn’t make it Presidents’ Day there would be 44 other holidays for presidents and counting.