ROCKLAND POST DESK
Presidents’ Day, the familiar three-day-weekend holiday in February, began as a solemn tribute to George Washington, the general who led the Continental Army to victory and later became the nation’s first president. Over time, the day grew to also honor Abraham Lincoln and the generations of leaders who followed.
The First Celebration
After Washington’s death on December 14, 1799, Americans across the young nation held annual remembrances of his February 22 birthday. His leadership during the Revolutionary War and his decision to step away from power made him a symbol of national unity.
In 1879, Washington’s Birthday became one of the first official federal holidays, first observed in the nation’s capital and expanded nationwide in 1885.
The Monday Holiday Change
A major shift came in 1971 when the United States Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The goal was simple: give workers more three-day weekends.
Washington’s Birthday was moved to the third Monday in February, where it remains today. Even now, the federal government still officially calls the holiday Washington’s Birthday, though most Americans know it as Presidents’ Day.
How the Name “Presidents’ Day” Took Hold
The broader name grew through school lessons, state observances, and retail advertising in the 1980s. The new title allowed the day to recognize all presidents while still keeping Washington at its heart. It also folded in long-standing celebrations of Lincoln’s February 12 birthday.
Why All the Sales? (A Little Honest, Rockland-Style)
Somewhere along the line, the stovepipe hat met the price tag.
Retailers discovered that:
It’s a three-day weekend
Cabin fever is at its peak
Spring is still a rumor
So the holiday that once featured speeches and cannon fire now comes with doorbusters and 40% off mattresses.
If Washington were riding down Route 59 today, he might cross the Delaware for a better parking spot at the mall.
As one county official joked after a February ceremony:
“We begin the morning with Washington and end the afternoon with a discount sofa — that’s the modern balance of history and economics.”
A Presidents’ Day Connection to Rockland County
Rockland County’s Revolutionary War history gives the holiday a special local meaning.
At the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, the dramatic 1779 midnight assault carried out by American troops under the command of General “Mad Anthony” Wayne remains tied to Washington’s strategy to control the Hudson River.
The Historical Society of Rockland County has often used the holiday to remind residents that the struggle for independence wasn’t just fought in textbooks — it happened along these very roads and riverbanks.
Local libraries and schools across Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo, and Stony Point continue the tradition with student projects and local history displays.
Veterans’ groups, working with the Rockland County Department of Veterans Services, frequently turn the day into a reflection on the role of commander in chief and those who served.
A Holiday Close to Home
For many residents, the observance is simple:
Flags on front lawns
A winter walk along the river Washington once traveled
A stop at a local history display
Maybe — in the modern spirit — a sale or two
Because in Rockland County, Presidents’ Day is where national history meets neighborhood tradition. Community Feature Sidebar – Quick Timeline
1799: Nation begins honoring Washington after his death
1879: Washington’s Birthday becomes a federal holiday
1885: Observed nationwide
1971: Moved to third Monday in February
1980s: “Presidents’ Day” becomes common name The Meaning Today
Presidents’ Day began as a single birthday tribute. It has become a broader reminder of leadership, public service, and shared history — with Rockland County’s Revolutionary roots giving it a living, local connection.
Voices From Rockland’s Leaders
Over the years, local observances have drawn comments from leaders at every level of government.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day has used the holiday to connect national leadership with local service, noting at a past county ceremony that the example set by the early presidents “still guides how we serve our residents and support the men and women who protect this county.”
Congressman Mike Lawler has marked the day by pointing to the lasting influence of Washington’s decision to step down from power, calling it “a model of constitutional leadership that continues to shape the nation.”
Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, speaking during a town library program, emphasized the local connection for younger residents, saying that learning about the presidency “starts with understanding the history in our own backyard.”
State Senator Bill Weber has tied the observance to civic participation and military service, urging residents in a past holiday message to “reflect on the responsibility each generation has in preserving the freedoms passed down to us.”1980s: “Presidents’ Day” becomes common name