Federal Holiday Gets a New Name: Washington's Birthday Officially Becomes Presidents Day

The Presidential Legacy Act makes a straightforward but significant change: it officially renames the federal holiday on the third Monday in February from "Washington's Birthday" to "Presidents Day." This isn't just a cosmetic tweak—the bill mandates that all references to "Washington's Birthday" in existing laws, regulations, and official documents be replaced with "Presidents' Day." Specifically, it amends Title 4, Section 6(d) of the United States Code, and Section 15(a) of the Federal Contested Election Act (2 U.S.C. 394(a)).

Making it Official

This change means that every federal reference, whether it's in legal texts or on government websites, will now reflect the "Presidents Day" name. Think of it like a company rebranding—everything from letterheads to legal contracts needs to be updated. For most people, this won't change much about their day off, but it does bring a formal, legal consistency to how the holiday is recognized across the federal government.

Why the Change?

While many people already refer to the holiday as Presidents Day, this bill makes that usage official. The shift could be seen as a move to honor all presidents, not just George Washington. It's a subtle but potentially meaningful change in how the nation recognizes its leaders. The main practical impact is on administrative processes within the government, ensuring that all official documentation is consistent. It also aligns the legal name with common usage, which might simplify things for anyone dealing with federal schedules or documents that refer to the holiday.

Real-World Ripple

For regular folks, this probably won't change your day-to-day. Whether you're working retail, running a small business, or in an office, the holiday remains the same—a day off for many. The bigger shift is in the background, in the way the government handles its own paperwork and legal references. No big disruptions, just a bit of administrative housekeeping that makes the official name match what most people already call it.