MAIN Home Life Holidays Presidents Day

In some respects remembered more for President's Day sales than an patriotic observance, Presidents Day originally honored the nation's first president, George Washington, whose birthday falls on February 22nd.

However, through the years both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln (who was born on February 12th) have come to be honored on the third Monday in February.

Today, in school activities and in civic speeches and ceremones, Washington and Lincoln - and indeed all great US presidents - are honored for leading the country over more than two centuries of American history.

This year, President's Day is celebrated on Monday, February 15, 2010.

As an official federal holiday, post offices cancel mail delivery, and stock markets are closed - meaning many consumer and commercial banks follow suit. Around the nation many school children also have the day off, as public schools traditionally observe the day as an official holiday.

Around the Web, check out presidental biographies, portraits, pictures and photo galleries, a virtual Lincoln library, plus kid-friendly resources and clip art, lesson plans, activities & crafts for the special day set aside in February to honor US leaders both past and present ....

Presidents of the United States - Direct from Washington D.C. and part of The White House for Kids site, offering clear, concise biographies and factoids plus a special Presidents Day resource with video clips, coloring pages and online games.

National Portrait Gallery: The Presidents - Go on a tour of the Hall of Presidents in Washington D.C. or simply view the clickable thumbnails of individual portraits with brief biographies.

The Internet Public Library: Presidents of the United States - The place to start for detailed, comprehensive info on every U.S. president from George Washington to George Walker Bush, with related links and resources for each.

George Washington - Mount Vernon - The official site of his home in Virginia with history and resources including a virtual tour, event schedule, visitor information, related links.

Abraham Lincoln Research Site - Excellent presentation by a former history teacher offering a kid-friendly biography along with contemporary Lincoln photos & sketches, quotes, speeches and lots of related resources.

Abraham Lincoln Online - Featuring news and events, photos and online tours, speeches, extensive resources for students and teachers, suggested reading, online bulletin board.

John F. Kennedy - Wikipedia - Comprehensive, hyperlinked biography covering Kennedy's early political career, his involvement in the Civil Rights movement, his influence on the NASA space program and details on his assasination, with suggested reading, photos, audio files, and related resources.

American Experience: The Presidents - Archived PBS special with biographies and detailed overviews of every presidential administration on up to Bill Clinton.

From Revolution to Reconstruction: Presidents - Speeches, writings, and biographies of every U.S. president.

American Presidents: Life Portraits - Archived, in-depth C-Span special with a clickable image gallery, video clips, presidential gravesite details, and comprehensive teacher resources and lesson plans.

Presidents Day Lesson Plans & Teacher Resources

also see -> Black History Month