Yes, Presidents Day is a federal holiday. Officially known as Washington's Birthday, it's observed on the third Monday in February each year. For 2026, that falls on February 16.

Official Status

The U.S. federal government recognizes it under 5 U.S.C. § 6103 as "Washington’s Birthday," honoring George Washington while commonly called Presidents' Day to celebrate all presidents. Federal employees get the day off, with closures for post offices, courts, and most agencies. This setup stems from the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Law, shifting it from February 22 to create three-day weekends.

2026 Details

In 2026, expect federal offices closed on Monday, February 16. Recent coverage confirms this for the upcoming holiday, with many banks and schools also observing it nationwide. Private businesses vary—stock markets close, but retail often stays open for sales.

Quick Facts

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

Aspect| Details
---|---
Date in 2026| Monday, February 16 1
Federal Closure| Yes—post offices, courts, non-essential services 35
State Variations| 41 states observe; check local rules 7
Origin| Established 1879 for Washington; expanded 1971 69
Paid for Feds| Yes, full holiday pay 5

History in Brief

Picture this: Back in the 1880s, Congress made Washington's February 22 birthday a federal holiday to honor the first president. Fast-forward to 1968—lawmakers wanted more long weekends, so they unified it to the third Monday, blending tributes to Lincoln too. Today, it's a nod to all 46 presidents, from Washington to the current one, Donald Trump.

Practical Impacts

  • Mail & Shipping: USPS closed; UPS/FedEx limited.
  • Banks : Most closed, per FDIC list.
  • Schools : Often off, especially public ones.
  • Travel : Good deals, lighter traffic on roads.

Not every employer follows suit—check your HR. Multiple viewpoints note it's "federal" but not always "public" everywhere.

TL;DR: Presidents Day is a federal holiday on Feb 16, 2026—federal workers off, key services closed, but private sectors mixed.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.