President’s Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the third Monday in February. It originally honored the birthday of George Washington, the first President of the United States, but now also honors all presidents who have served in the office.
To help you celebrate we’ve created this list of 100 President’s Day fun facts.
Table of Contents
- About President’s Day
- President’s Day Fun Facts
- Additional Fun Information About President’s Day
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President’s Day Fun Facts – About President’s Day
President’s Day has its roots in the observance of George Washington’s birthday, which was first celebrated as a holiday in the District of Columbia in 1880. It became a federal holiday in 1885, and was originally celebrated on February 22nd, which is Washington’s actual birthday.
In the 1960s, there was a movement to create a single federal holiday to honor all presidents, not just George Washington. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed by Congress, which moved the observance of several federal holidays to Mondays to create more three-day weekends for workers. As a result, President’s Day was moved to the third Monday in February.
While the holiday is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government, it is commonly known as “President’s Day” and has come to be seen as a day to honor all U.S. presidents.
President’s Day Fun Facts – Fun Facts
Here are 100 fun facts about President’s Day:
- President’s Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in February.
- President’s Day is a federal holiday, which means that banks, post offices, and government offices are closed.
- President’s Day is also known as Washington’s Birthday.
- The holiday was originally established to honor George Washington’s birthday, which was on February 22nd.
- George Washington was born on February 22, 1732.
- George Washington was the first president of the United States.
- The holiday was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1885.
- The holiday was originally celebrated on February 22nd.
- The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 moved the holiday to the third Monday in February.
- President’s Day is now seen as a day to honor all U.S. presidents, not just George Washington.
- Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is also in February (February 12th), so he is often honored on President’s Day as well.
- President’s Day is also known as “Washington and Lincoln Day” in some states.
- Some states also celebrate the birthdays of other notable presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson, on President’s Day.
- President’s Day is not an official name for the holiday, but it has become the popular name.
- President’s Day is a popular time for retailers to offer sales and discounts.
- President’s Day weekend is a popular time for people to travel.
- Some people use President’s Day weekend to go skiing or snowboarding.
- The largest Presidents Day parade is held in Alexandria, Virginia.
- The first President’s Day parade was held in 1796 in Philadelphia to honor George Washington.
- President’s Day is sometimes called National Freedom Day.
- President’s Day is sometimes called American Heritage Day.
- President’s Day is sometimes called George Washington Day.
- Some states, like California, do not recognize President’s Day as a state holiday.
- President’s Day is not celebrated in other countries.
- President’s Day is a time for people to reflect on the contributions of U.S. presidents to the country.
- President’s Day is a time to celebrate democracy and the freedom that the United States enjoys.
- President’s Day is a time to honor the American spirit and the resilience of the American people.
- The official name of the holiday is still “Washington’s Birthday” in some states, such as Virginia.
- The date of the holiday is sometimes called “Presidents Day” in calendars and other official documents.
- Some people celebrate President’s Day by visiting historic sites, such as Mount Vernon, Monticello, or the Lincoln Memorial.
- Some people celebrate President’s Day by watching movies about U.S. presidents, such as Lincoln, JFK, or The American President.
- Some people celebrate President’s Day by cooking traditional American foods, such as apple pie or fried chicken.
- Some people celebrate President’s Day by hosting a barbecue with friends and family.
- Some people celebrate President’s Day by dressing up as U.S. presidents or other historical figures.
- President’s Day is a time for schools to teach students about U.S. history and the role that U.S. presidents have played in shaping the country.
- President’s Day is a time to remember the sacrifices that U.S. presidents have made in service to the country.
- President’s Day is a time to honor the men and women who have served as U.S. presidents and the legacy that they have left behind.
- George Washington was the only president to be unanimously elected by the Electoral College.
- George Washington was also the only president to not represent a political party.
- George Washington was a skilled horseman and had several horses throughout his life, including his famous horse named Nelson.
- John Adams was the first president to live in the White House, which was completed in 1800.
- Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington D.C., in 1801.
- James Madison was the shortest president, standing only 5 feet 4 inches tall.
- James Monroe was the last president to have served in the Revolutionary War.
- John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was the first president to be photographed.
- Andrew Jackson was the first president to ride on a train.
- Martin Van Buren was the first president to be born in the United States.
- William Henry Harrison was the first president to die in office, serving only 31 days before his death.
- John Tyler was the first vice president to become president after the death of a sitting president.
- James K. Polk was the first president to have his photograph taken while in office.
- Zachary Taylor was the second president to die in office, serving only 16 months before his death.
- Millard Fillmore was the first president to have a bathtub installed in the White House.
- Franklin Pierce was the first president to have a Christmas tree in the White House.
- James Buchanan was the only president who never married.
- Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall.
- Abraham Lincoln was also the first president to have a beard.
- Andrew Johnson was the first president to be impeached.
- Ulysses S. Grant was the first president to have a speeding ticket, for driving his horse and buggy too fast.
- Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to use a telephone.
- James A. Garfield was the second president to be assassinated, serving only 200 days before his death.
- Chester A. Arthur was the first president to be born a U.S. citizen, rather than a British subject.
- Grover Cleveland was the first president to get married in the White House, and also the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
- Benjamin Harrison was the first president to use electric lights in the White House.
- William McKinley was the third president to be assassinated, serving six months into his second term.
- Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president, serving from age 42 to 50.
- William Howard Taft was the heaviest president, weighing over 300 pounds.
- Woodrow Wilson was the first president to hold regular press conferences.
- Warren G. Harding was the first president to own a radio in the White House.
- Calvin Coolidge was the first president to give a speech on the radio.
- Herbert Hoover was the first president born west of the Mississippi River.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only president to serve more than two terms, serving four terms before the 22nd Amendment was passed limiting presidents to two terms.
- Harry S. Truman was the first president to address the nation on television.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to use a helicopter for transportation.
- John F. Kennedy was the youngest person ever elected president, at age 43.
- Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to sign the Civil Rights Act into law.
- Richard Nixon was the first president to visit China while in office.
- Richard Nixon was the first president to resign from office, following the Watergate scandal.
- Gerald Ford was the first president who was not elected to the office of president or vice president, but instead was appointed to the position after Nixon’s resignation.
- Jimmy Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital.
- Ronald Reagan was the oldest president, serving from age 69 to 77.
- George H.W. Bush was the first president to celebrate Thanksgiving in Saudi Arabia with U.S. troops during the Gulf War.
- Bill Clinton was the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives, but he was later acquitted by the Senate.
- George W. Bush was the first president to have a MBA degree.
- Barack Obama was the first African American to be elected to the presidency.
- Barack Obama was also the first president to have a Twitter account while in office.
- Donald Trump was the first president to be impeached twice, but he was acquitted both times by the Senate.
- Joe Biden is the oldest person ever elected to the presidency, at age 78.
- Joe Biden is also the second Catholic president, after John F. Kennedy.
- There have been 46 presidents, but only 44 men have held the office, as Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and is counted as both the 22nd and 24th president.
- Seven presidents were born in Virginia, making it the state with the most presidential births.
- Four presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.
- Only one president, James Polk, was speaker of the House of Representatives before becoming president.
- Five presidents were vice presidents before becoming president: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, Richard Nixon, and George H.W. Bush.
- Four presidents were assassinated while in office: Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.
- Three presidents died in office from natural causes: William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- The highest salary ever paid to a president was $400,000 per year, which was the salary for Barack Obama and is still the current salary for the position.
- The presidential limousine, also known as “The Beast,” is equipped with advanced security features, including bulletproof windows and a tear gas cannon.
- The Secret Service began protecting the president in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley.
- The presidential aircraft is known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.
- There are over 14,000 books written about George Washington, making him the most written-about president.
President’s Day Fun Facts – All The Presidents
Here is a list of all the Presidents of the United States in order of their terms, along with their dates of office:
- George Washington (1789-1797)
- John Adams (1797-1801)
- Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
- James Madison (1809-1817)
- James Monroe (1817-1825)
- John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)
- Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
- Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
- William Henry Harrison (1841)
- John Tyler (1841-1845)
- James K. Polk (1845-1849)
- Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
- Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
- Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
- James Buchanan (1857-1861)
- Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
- Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
- Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
- Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
- James A. Garfield (1881)
- Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)
- Grover Cleveland (1885-1889)
- Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)
- Grover Cleveland (1893-1897)
- William McKinley (1897-1901)
- Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)
- William Howard Taft (1909-1913)
- Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)
- Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)
- Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
- Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
- Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
- John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
- Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
- Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
- Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
- Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
- Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
- George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)
- Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
- George W. Bush (2001-2009)
- Barack Obama (2009-2017)
- Donald Trump (2017-2021)
- Joe Biden (2021-present)
President’s Day Fun Facts – President’s Day Legends
There are several legends and myths associated with President’s Day. Here are a few examples:
- George Washington and the Cherry Tree: According to the story, when George Washington was a young boy, he received a new hatchet and chopped down his father’s cherry tree. When confronted by his father, Washington reportedly said, “I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet.” While this story is widely known, it is likely a myth and there is no historical evidence to support it.
- Abraham Lincoln and the Log Cabin: Another popular legend is that Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. While Lincoln did grow up in a humble log cabin, he was actually born in a small house in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
- The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln: There have been several reports of sightings of Abraham Lincoln’s ghost in the White House over the years. The most famous sighting occurred in the 1940s, when First Lady Grace Coolidge claimed to have seen Lincoln’s ghost looking out a window in the White House.
While these legends and myths may not be entirely true, they have become an important part of the folklore and tradition surrounding President’s Day in the United States.
President’s Day Fun Facts – President’s Day Traditions
There are several traditions associated with President’s Day, including:
- Holding parades in honor of the presidents, often featuring historical reenactments, marching bands, and patriotic floats.
- Visiting historical sites associated with the presidents, such as Mount Vernon (George Washington’s estate) or Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s estate).
- Hosting commemorative events, such as wreath-laying ceremonies at presidential memorials and gravesites.
- Reading or reciting the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, and declared freedom for all slaves in the Confederate states.
- Displaying the American flag and other patriotic decorations, such as red, white, and blue bunting or streamers.
- Teaching children about the presidents and their contributions to American history.
- Offering discounts or sales at stores and retailers, as President’s Day is also considered a major shopping holiday.
Overall, President’s Day is a time to celebrate the legacy of the presidents and to reflect on their contributions to the United States.
President’s Day Fun Facts – President’s Day Celebrations by State
While President’s Day is a federal holiday observed throughout the United States, individual states may have their own unique celebrations or traditions related to the holiday. For example, some states may hold special events or parades to honor their own state’s presidents or historical figures, in addition to the national presidents. In some states, such as Illinois and Connecticut, the holiday is officially known as “Washington’s Birthday” and is celebrated primarily as a commemoration of George Washington’s birth.
Additionally, some states may choose to combine President’s Day with other holidays or celebrations. For example, in Louisiana, President’s Day is combined with Mardi Gras and is observed as a state holiday. In Virginia, the holiday is also known as “George Washington Day,” and some localities may celebrate with special events, such as cherry blossom festivals or historic reenactments.
Overall, while the basic observance of President’s Day is consistent across the United States, there may be regional or state-specific variations in how the holiday is celebrated or recognized.
President’s Day Riddles
1. A blue man lives in a blue house. A green man lives in a green house. But I live in the white house. Who am I?
Answer: The President
2. Before I became president, I once worked as a bartender. What’s my name?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln.
3. Does Britain have a 4th of July?
Answer: Yes, it also have July 1, 2, 3, 5…
4. English was actually my second language; Dutch was my first. Who am I?
Answer: Martin Van Buren.
5. Even the president takes his hat off for me. Who am I?
Answer: A barber.
6. How did George Washington speak to his army?
Answer: In general terms!
7. I am the oldest president to ever hold office. Who am I?
Answer: Joe Biden
8. I am the U.S. president with the most children. Who am I?
Answer: John Tyler with 15
9. I was elected by only one electoral vote. Who am I?
Answer: Rutherford B. Hayes
10. I was givien the oath of office on board an airplane. Which U.S. president am I?
Answer: Lyndon Johnson
11. I was the only president in history to be elected unanimously. Who am I?
Answer: George Washington.
12. I was the second president to die in office, who am I?
Answer: Zachary Taylor
13. If there is a Yellow house on Bluebird Lane, a Green house on Orange Street, a Pink house on Kitten Road, a Black house on Whitehorse Pike and a Purple house on Firebird hill, where is the White house?
Answer: Washington, D.C.
14. Jack is taking a tour through a museum’s American Presidents exhibit. The person leading the tour tells him “We have a picture of each presidency. Currently Barack Obama is the 43rd person to hold the office.” But Jack quickly realizes that there are 44 pictures on the wall. But while walking through the exhibit he realizes why this is. Why is there one too many photos?
Answer: Grover Cleveland served non-consecutive terms (there was a president between his terms) so he held two different presidencies.
15. What do you call George Washington’s false teeth?
Answer: Presidentures!
16. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Answer: At the bottom.
17. These three presidents have won Grammy awards for narrating audiobooks. Who are they?
Answer: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
18. This president passed away after just 32 days in the White House thanks to a cold. Who was he?
Answer: William Henry Harrison
19. This U.S. president is credited with inventing the swivel chair. Who is it?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
20. We are two of the most famous American Presidents. Our names both have sixteen letters. I was born in 1846, he was born in 1946. I was elected in 1860, he was elected in 1960. We both died on Friday by gunshot to the head. Who are we?
Answer: Lincoln and Kennedy.
21. We’re tied for the title of tallest president. We both measured 6’ 4”. Who are we?
Answer: Abe Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson.
22. What American has had the largest family?
Answer: George Washington, Because he was the father of his country.
23. President Clinton is listed as our 41st president, but only 40 men have held the office. Why?
Answer: Grover Cleveland held office during 2 nonconsecutive terms. He was our 22nd and 24th president.
24. What is older than Obama, sits still as stone, but in some people’s eyes is more appreciated than the president’s home ?
Answer: The Lincoln Memorial
25. What is the capital in Washington?
Answer: The letter W.
26. What rock group has four guys who don’t sing?
Answer: Mount Rushmore!
27. What was General Washington’s favorite tree?
Answer: The infantry!
28. What would George Washington be if he were alive today?
Answer: Really, really, really old!
29. What would you get if you crossed the sixteenth president with a famous New York Yankees slugger?
Answer: Babe Lincoln!
30. What would you say in everyone in the US Sneezed at the same time?
Answer: God bless America!
31. When I wasn’t doing my presidential duties, I was saving forests and walking around the White House on stilts. Who am I?
Answer: Theodore Roosevelt.
32. The 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States of America had the same parents, but were not brothers. How can this be possible?
Answer: They were the same man. Grover Cleveland served two terms as president of the United States, but the terms were not consecutive.
33. Which one of our Presidents had the largest shoes?
Answer: The president with the largest feet.
34. Which President wore the largest hat?
Answer: The one with the largest head!
35. Who was elected after the first president?
Answer: The second president.
36. Why did Honest Abe have trouble sleeping?
Answer: Because he couldn’t lie.
Check out These Fun Facts for Other Holidays
President’s Day, Mardi Gras, Day Light Savings Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Arbor Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, D-Day, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Years Day, Groundhog Day
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