President Day, Chicago

According to the Federal government, the holiday observed on the third Monday in February is officially George Washington's birthday. But many Americans believe that this holiday is now called Presidents' Day, in honour of both Presidents- George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthdays are February 22nd and February 12th respectively.

The states are not obliged to adopt federal holidays, which only affect federal offices and agencies. While most states have adopted Washington's Birthday, a dozen of them officially celebrate President's Day. A number of states that celebrate Washington's Birthday also recognise Lincoln's Birthday as a separate legal holiday.

In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act, which moved the official observance of Washington's Birthday from February 22nd to the third Monday in February. Some reformers had wanted to change the name of the holiday as well to President's Day, in honour of both Lincoln and Washington, but the Congress rejected that proposal.

But in 1971, when the Act went into effect, President Nixon proclaimed the holiday as President's Day, to commemorate all past presidents, not just Lincoln and Washington. This idea was never intended or authorized by Congress; nevertheless, it gained a stronghold on the public consciousness.