Is Presidents Day a Federal Holiday? Are the stock market and offices closed today? Check the full US Holidays 2025 list

Government offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day. The holiday is recognized across the United States, affecting schools, banks, and federal offices, though most retail stores will remain open.

What is Presidents Day?

Presidents Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday, was originally established to honor George Washington, the first U.S. president. Washington was born on February 11, 1731, under the Julian calendar, but after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752, his birth date shifted to February 22, 1732.

Over time, the holiday also came to honor Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12. The date placement between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln led to the common use of the term Presidents Day.

How Did Presidents Day Become a Federal Holiday?

In 1885, Congress designated February 22 as a holiday for all federal workers. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved the observance to the third Monday of February to create long weekends and reduce midweek disruptions.

According to the National Archives, while the holiday is sometimes misunderstood as a celebration of all U.S. presidents, it was originally called Washington’s Birthday and primarily honors Washington and Lincoln. The National Archives also notes that this was the first federal holiday established to recognize an individual's birth date.

What's closed

The U.S. Postal Service, banks, and stock markets will be closed on February 17. However, most restaurants, grocery stores, and retail establishments will continue to operate.

US Federal Holiday 2025

The Office of Personnel Management has released the remaining federal holiday dates for 2025:

Presidents Day: Monday, February 17

Memorial Day: Monday, May 26

Juneteenth: Thursday, June 19

Independence Day: Friday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 1

Columbus Day: Monday, October 13

Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 27

Christmas: Thursday, December 25