Celebrated on the third Monday of February, Presidents’ Day celebrates the legacies of all U.S. presidents. The holiday was originally established in 1885 to honor President George Washington, which is why it was celebrated on his birthday every year on February 22. That is, until the government decided workers needed more three-day weekends and Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971.

As the Monday remembrance took hold, along with a three-day weekend for federal workers, the scope of the celebration was extended to honor all presidents. History.com is a great resource for teachers looking for articles and related videos. 

Presidents’ Day also signals a school break in many parts of the country and the ramp up of educational group travel to popular destinations like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, which are all home to many presidential moments. These destinations give students and teachers the chance to walk in the footsteps of history and making lasting memories along the way.  

For information about leading an educational tour to the historic East Coast, please Browse Our Tours or contact NationsClassroom for more information.