President’s Day is observed on the third Monday of February each year. This is a federal holiday that celebrates George Washington’s birthday, as well as all other U.S. presidents. As a federal holiday, government and federal employees receive time off, but private sector workers are not guaranteed time off from work.

Although federal law does not require private businesses to observe the 11 federal holidays, many businesses and schools offer holidays and holiday pay throughout the year.

President’s Day always falls on the third Monday in February. This year it falls on February 16th.

Presidents’ Day was established in the 1880s to commemorate George Washington’s February 22nd birthday and was later expanded to include Abraham Lincoln’s February 12th birthday. Although the holiday is widely referred to as President’s Day, the federal government continues to officially recognize it as Washington’s birthday.

Government agencies, federal employees, and most public schools and universities typically take a day off on President’s Day. However, most private sector employees will continue to work as usual.

Most major banks will be closed on President’s Day, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, PNC and Trust. The public postal service is closed on President’s Day, so mail processed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) will not be delivered, but UPS and FedEx will operate as usual.

The next day off for most American workers is Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th.

There are 11 federal holidays in 2026.