Monday, February 16, 2026, is Presidents’ Day. It is a federal holiday and is observed on the third Monday of February every year. Officially it is called Washington’s Birthday since that was the original holiday. The 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act included celebrating Abraham Lincoln on this holiday as well as George Washington. However, the official name of the holiday was not changed.
George Washington was commander of the Continental Army, which fought for independence from the British. Washington was sworn in as the first president on April 30, 1789, in New York City. A biography can be found at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22. On February 22 it is traditional that one US Senator read Washington’s Farewell Address.
Abraham Lincoln became president in 1861, led the country through the Civil War and was re-elected in 1864. His biography can be found at MIller Center – Abraham Lincoln.