Before President’s Day Was President’s Day: 2 Highlights About February 22nd

Context: February 22nd to the third Monday.

Let's start at the beginning with a little context. In 1879, February 22nd was dedicated as "President's Day." The basis: George Washington's birthday. And yes, I know it truly depends on which calendar we look to, but for ease of discussion, let's leave it here.

The holiday we celebrate today was created through a Senate bill numbered 623, introduced in January of 1878.

Today, we enjoy a three-day weekend in February due to an act passed in the 1960s. On June 28, 1968, the "Uniform Monday Holiday Act" was passed, leading to the current President's Day holiday being observed on the third Monday in February.

Those of you who have been with me awhile on this blog know how much I love digging into "this day in history" and with this year's celebration of President's Day just passed, I decided to look for:

1) words of wisdom from our first American President and
2) an event credited to Presidential action

...both taking place prior to the official designation of "President's Day."

RELATED: Click here to open an article on Mount Vernon's website offering more detail on President's Day becoming a holiday.



Presidents' arrival in Colonial Williamsburg, 2025

Passage 1: George Washington from Valley Forge.

On February 22, 1778, General George Washington wrote of his gratitude for and commitment to those supporting the cause. The letter I'm referencing was written to the man serving as the first Revolutionary governor of New Jersey: William Livingston.

Note: I've broken one long paragraph into two for ease of reading.

Sir,
Your favour of the 16th instant came duly to hand.

I cannot but be highly sensible of the fresh proofs given of that zeal which yourself in particular and the State of New Jersey in general, have so uniformly manifested in the common cause, and of the polite regard you have in repeated instances, shown to my applications.

I lament the additional load of business heaped upon you from the sources you mention, and earnestly hope that painful experience will teach us so to correct our former mistakes and reform past abuses as to lighten the burden of those whose whole time and attention are devoted to the execution of their duty and the service of the public.

(letter continues, click here to read it in full on our National Archives page dedicated to the Founders' writing).

RELATED: Click here to learn more about New Jersey's first non-Royal governor!

Ron Carnegie as President Washington, President's Day 2026

Passage 2: James Monroe gets Florida into our United States.

On February 22, 1819 the Florida Purchase Treaty aka Adams-Onis Treaty aka Onis-Adams Treaty was signed. James Monroe, our 5th United States President, led the charge to increase the size of our nation through an agreement with Spain, bringing Florida into the fold.

As Secretary of State (and future president), John Quincy Adams was our man-on-the-ground in this effort. He's also credited with convincing President Monroe to formulate a policy which led to the Monroe Doctrine a few years later.

This move in gaining Florida was mentioned in President Monroe's Second Inaugural address, on March 5, 1821. In context, he speaks of the expansion of our nation and the security we have as a result.

Below is an excerpt from the address. You can click here to read it in full via Yale Law School's Avalon Project. (NOTE: I've broken up the very long second paragraph into multiple for ease of reading.)

"By steadily pursuing this course in this spirit there is every reason to believe that our system will soon attain the highest degree of perfection of which human institutions are capable, and that the movement in all its branches will exhibit such a degree of order and harmony as to command the admiration and respect of the civilized world.

Our physical attainments have not been less eminent. Twenty-five years ago the river Mississippi was shut up and our Western brethren had no outlet for their commerce. What has been the progress since that time?

The river has not only become the property of the United States from its source to the ocean, with all its tributary streams (with the exception of the upper part of the Red River only), but Louisiana, with a fair and liberal boundary on the western side and the Floridas on the eastern, have been ceded to us.

The United States now enjoy the complete and uninterrupted sovereignty over the whole territory from St. Croix to the Sabine. New States, settled from among ourselves in this and in other parts, have been admitted into our Union in equal participation in the national sovereignty with the original States.

Our population has augmented in an astonishing degree and extended in every direction. We now, fellow-citizens, comprise within our limits the dimensions and faculties of a great power under a Government possessing all the energies of any government ever known to the Old World, with an utter incapacity to oppress the people."

Our friend and much-honored historian Mark Schneider, who portrays the Marquis de Lafayette in Colonial Williamsburg, often stands on stage as "1824 Lafayette." When he does, he points out the growth of our nation from his departure 40 years earlier as one of 13 states, now grown to 24. (in 1824 of course!)

Diving into Monroe's address gives perspective. And diving deeper into the Monroe Doctrine gives context to the period. Truly, Monroe and Adams' efforts in acquiring Florida could be a rabbit hole.

But, at least on the surface for those of us wanting context to accomplishments of early American presidents as well as the expansion of our nation, this can be a starting point.

RELATED: Click here to read more about the Monroe Doctrine on The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History's website.

President James Monroe, Virginia's Executive Mansion

Presidents Day traditions.

Do you have a President's Day tradition? For us, it's been watching Colonial Williamsburg's (CW's) Salute to the Presidents since moving here several years ago.

From cannon-fire and Fifes and Drums to the solemn and inspiring words of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison interpreted by Nation Builder historians Ron Carnegie, Kurt Smith, and Bryan Austin respectively, it's a tradition I cherish.

I would love to hear your Presidents Day traditions- old, new, or ideas for the future! Please share in the comments, subscribe to the blog and connect by email, or drop me a message on Instagram!

Presidents' arrival in CW, 2025

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.